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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.

egraegis: (137)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Why are you like this.]

You're damaging the phase shift armor's integrity.

[How are they meant to do the cool colour change if you scratch up their fancy sci-fi paint :( ]
30storieshigh: (heard you were talking shit)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-03-17 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ Because his mother was too busy being dead to teach him any better and by the time Mothra entered the picture he was kind of too big to tell off. ]

Ah. Indeed?

[ Pardon him for a moment as he just... disappears?!
And then reappears standing on the Z'Gok's shoulder, his hands resting on his hips as he looks down at the machine he's standing upon. ]


I am uncertain if this holds testament to the sharpness of my claws or the craftless nature of your Faker's armoring that such light scratching could lead to complications. The Whelp's Faker was able to withstand heavy impacts when I improvised usage of it as a bludgeoning tool in Brașov. Pilot Dearka was one of the first to breach the castle alongside myself in his, he seemed unthreatened... although.

[ A thoughtful hum as he raises a claw and taps it against his chin, his other hand still planted on his hip. ]

One oft disregards their own security of being when one's mate is in danger. It would be of understanding that he placed the machine within a situation of danger to it for the sake of Pilot Yzak.
egraegis: (185)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-17 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[....wtf did he just teleport-

Athrun blinks, opening up the cockpit to peer out. That... sure does look like he reappeared up there...

(Can this place get any more weird?)

He tries to focus on the subject at hand. Tech-talk is a comfortable distraction from the heaping of implications that one bit of dialogue threw at Athrun. (He used Destiny as a club or something? Dearka lost his cool? And that mate business again??)]


...Phase-shift shielding is energy-based. It's less effective when the mobile suit is deactivated, because it drains the core. They can withstand damage better when in battle.

[Since, well. That's when you'd expect to take damage.]
30storieshigh: (looks at camera like jim on the office)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-03-18 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ Godzilla has in fact used Destiny as a lethal weapon to turn fanatic villagers and vampires into jelly. It was a fun time for all. (except for Shinn, sorry Shinn. ) ]

Ah. Mothra oft makes use of similar technique to defend herself in battle. [ A sage, lizardy nod. ] The humans of your world have advanced to an impressive degree to create such a system. Even if they have chosen a... distasteful source to fuel such devices.

[ Still really not keen on the nuclear thing. ]
egraegis: (199)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-19 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Whomst??]

Ah... yeah, it isn't ideal. If we could retire the use of mobile suits with nuclear power, we would, but unfortunately there's too many people who use it with bad intentions. Until we find a better alternative, we need power to defeat the powerful.
30storieshigh: (My God(zilla) what have I done)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-03-20 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ His wife! Giant moth, it's a whole thing. ]

Bah. Then they shall build a thing of more power which their enemies shall match or counter, and so it shall continue.

[ A sad, almost paternally disappointed slow shake of his head. ]

I am not of such egotism that I will not claim Titans themselves hold a tendency towards conflict. Where there is life it will occur, it is an inevitability. Humanity however holds a unique talent for... escalation. It is a fact that causes one concern.

[ And pop, he's vanished, pop he's now on the other shoulder, sitting there like someone would on a ledge, tail coiling around the Z'Gok's arm for balance. ]

Yet for the improvements to killing there come peaceful benefits, yes? My reading states that the technology of refrigeration and the minutely radiating cookers hold their origins from conflict. Just as unique as your kind's ability to escalate is the capacity to bring creation from destruction. One imagines it is a factor of none-insignificance to your continued survival.
egraegis: (104)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-23 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[Honestly he can't even argue. When one used nukes, they created the jammers. Then the jammer cancellers were created to put nukes back on the table. The modern mobile suits were created. Then GENESIS. Then Neo-GENESIS, Messiah. There were countless others, but over and over, mobile suits and weapons were made to be stronger, stronger. More deadly. More devastating. And so many lives were lost in too many wars, in such a short span. Humans love to escalate, all to eliminate, it seems.

What a terrible legacy. If not for the good people he's surrounded by, it would be very easy to fall into despair about the universe they've created.]


It is true that the advancement of weaponry often leads to the advancement of great science. The same can be said in reverse. The most deadly weapon I know of was once conceived as a way to power exploratory journeys through deep space, so humanity could see other star systems outside of our own. Sometimes I wonder what kind of world we'd live in, if it had stayed like that.
30storieshigh: (My God(zilla) what have I done)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-03-24 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ Nothing like the mention of deep space to turn Godzilla's mood dark. In the months since awakening to this world he's managed to get over quite a few of his old biases, his casual attitude towards the mobile suits should be evidence enough of that. Not to mention how well he gets along with the boys from the PLANTs and Gigan, but the idea of humanity poking around in deep space?

If the big guy could chew on the inside of his cheek in this body, he would. Instead he starts to scratch a spot behind his left ear where his implant surgery was performed, a by now old habit. ]


An assurance, Pilot Athrun, there is no offending intent behind my thoughts, yet it is perhaps a thing for the best that your kind's efforts to reach into the void were halted. The manner of the cessation is... unideal, yes. However, there is great chance your kind would have found attention of beings best left unaware of humanity's existence.

[ A pause, then a shrug from the big guy before he hops down from the Z'Gok. Yes, it's thirty feet, no he doesn't care. For such a large reptile he lands pretty gracefully though thanks to that tail of his being used to keep balance, almost catlike, though the impact of his muscled bulk does make quite a noise. ]

Overtly paranoid caution on my thoughts though this may be. Though I give the suggestion that you consider, there may well have been more than winged deep singers lurking beyond the stars of our sun.

[ Whales. He means whales. Yzak told him about the whale. (Yzak tells everyone about that whale, he can't shut up about it ) ]
egraegis: (67)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-03-28 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Winged... deep singers... it doesn't immediately click since he's never heard it described that way. In truth he also doesn't think a lot about the space whale. He tries not to think about anything in the PLANTs besides the innocent people he'd fought to protect, and the friends who have chosen to keep living there. He has no great love for space anymore.]

I don't know what's best for humanity anymore, besides peace. We've had too much of war already. There's little sense in exploring the greater universe and finding more trouble for ourselves when we can't seem to stop fighting each other on the world we already have.
30storieshigh: (imma bite it)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-04-01 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ He sighs and shakes his head. ]

Indeed. For all the positives of your kind their tendency to inner conflict is... a hinderance. There is little wonder why the Apes and humanity formed such close bonds in my world of origin, in millions of years they are the only two species I have witnessed whom put so much effort into warring with their own kind.

[ Oh well. Godzilla waves his hand as is to shoo away the topic. ]

Bah, but enough of such dower things. There are other matters of import one shall have concern over.

[ Said while he glances darkly (for a lizard) at Destiny. Nice of a perch as it is, it's going to be trouble to deal with the Whelp from now on. ]

The convening of mutual interest. You have attended, yes?

[ Way to topic change, Goji. ]
egraegis: (222)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-02 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Honestly it's for the best. Athrun spends enough time thinking about (and fighting about) war already, he needs a goddamn break.]

The convention? Yes, I attended briefly. It's... not really my thing, usually, but it's good that people are having fun. [He's not super great with crowds these days, and he doesn't trust people here, too many unknowns.] They seem to have taken a liking to you.
30storieshigh: (astro-monsters were meant to fly)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-04-04 06:26 am (UTC)(link)
Indeed they have.

[ Godzilla nods and grins which... ya know, ten foot tall lizard. When he grins it's pretty much nothing but teeth. ]

A confession, it provided myself with quite an electrocution at first. [ Shock. He means a shock. ] Yet it is a thing of fortune. One has thought it shall aid the effort of becoming kami to this world.

[ A sage, lizardy nod. Yes Athrun, the big lug is trying to become a living god to the locals. Do with that what you will. ]
egraegis: (262)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-05 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
Hmm. Don't let it go to your head too much. Confidence is healthy up to a point.

[Really putting the "God" in "Godzilla", huh.]
30storieshigh: (Seriously do I LOOK like an iguana)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-04-05 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Head tilt. ]

Such attention from your kind is not unknown to myself, the old empires would build temples for my usage as lairs.Such attention from your kind is not unknown to myself, the old empires would build temples for my usage as lairs.

[ A beat as he scratches a spot behind his ear. ]

However... such attention was given to all of my being, not my head alone.

[ Goji. Goji no. ]
egraegis: (108)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-07 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[GOJI NO...]

You sure don't hold back when you've got something on your mind.

[Considering who he's talking to, this could mean all sorts of things. But the implication.]
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... ]
egraegis: (84)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-12 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[He's just going to pretend it means nothing and he heard nothing and it's NONE OF HIS BUSINESS. Dirty thoughts are reserved for genocidal psychics only.]

That's likely. There's also plenty of conflicts that are avoided by not speaking your true mind- some world leaders are so easily offended that sharing what you really think of them could trigger an international incident.

[In other words: not entirely wrong, but not entirely right, either.]
30storieshigh: (call me Zilla one more time)

[personal profile] 30storieshigh 2025-04-13 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Bah.

[ He snorts out a plume of smoke and just straight up rolls his eyes. ]

This is a flaw of your kind's misplaced pride. Amongst the Titans there is no hidden agenda behind our communication and action, we are clear in our intents, if we were not the world around us would be thrust into chaos.

Deception with intent to maintain appeasement and peace is a thing that makes little sense. It would be a thing of more propriety that those whom lead battle another face to face to ensure the resolution of disagreement and territorial dispute.
egraegis: (99)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-16 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
I don't disagree. Still, I'd rather there be a conciliatory way of preventing conflict, rather than everyone showing what they think or feel to the point of being needlessly cruel. Some thoughts are best kept internal. What we think isn't always what we'll do. The distinction is very important in human culture. Both Naturals and Coordinators are like that.