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𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-05-15 08:31 am

DOWNTIME MINGLE #8

DOWNTIME MINGLE #8


CONTENT WARNINGS: disease, epidemics, COVID-like illness, lockdowns

▶ 001. WINNER'S CIRCLE

In light of everyone's recent help with both the ocean exploration and the clinical trials, the Outsiders will return one day to a surprisingly well-decorated area within the mess hall at the Kyoto base. It's been adorned with some of the flowers that have wildly bloomed on the outskirts of the city in various areas, as well as those that the researchers had been personally working on fostering in the LILITH greenhouses. Beneath it will be not a pizza party for once, and charcuterie and other donated food items will be there for Outsiders to enjoy. There is even some recognizable cuisine from Egypt for them as well!
GOOD JOB:
FORGERY (K.O.)
AKATSUKI (600)
BANKERBOY (600)
Thanks to the Outsiders’ hard work, they are met with positive reception by the general public, which seems to have grown astronomically since the past two missions. This has only grown from their recent success abroad. Per usual, there are a few oddities that have caught on in the city.

While Neo Tokyo has always been noted as being a city of technology (even with their dwindling resources), a new trend of collecting swords has sparked in the city. Maybe they've seen it in certain Outsiders, but the idea of both collecting swords, displaying them, or even holding exhibitions for them have become more common. Some have even taken to hunting for them in the wild.

If any Outsiders are interested, there appears to be several posts online in which they think older blades may be laying in sleep. But, as with most rumors, there's no guarantee it isn't a wild goose chase.

On TV, the new spring line up is out. A new live action series featuring a group of friends who fight kaiju using mecha has made its debut. Their mecha are animal themed and can combine to create a super mecha. The new lead is a hot headed female character with a lion mecha, which spawns a line of action figures in stores across the city. The lion mecha is the most popular and often resold online for inflated prices. Maybe an Outsider can get their hands on one without paying the scalping fee?

Oftentimes when it comes to the Outsiders and the general masses, there's a distinct disconnect. Which is why it all seems to hinge on rumors and hearsay. Who knows where the information stems from, but they heard a certain Outsider has a liking for bread. There will be no shortage of bread sponsorships for the base, though... some may be far more experimental. However, some claim lab-grown bread may actually be tastier? Only one way to put it to the test. The lab-grown bread conveniently also comes in cans.

▶ 002. FROM SUMER WITH LOVE.

Around the same time, a few LILITH employees show signs of a common cold – nothing noteworthy at first really, if only out-of-season. But then the disease starts spreading at an alarming rate within the headquarters, its symptoms evolving from a mere cold to a severe life-threatening flu. Preliminary analysis reveals the disease to be unlike any known on this planet – perhaps this is why no medicines work. Symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, nausea, excessive vomiting and diarrhea, chills and high fever.

To make matters worse, news from LILITH locations around the world reveal all known bases to be afflicted by the same mysterious epidemic, only affecting LILITH staff and not Outsiders at this time. This cannot be a coincidence: LILITH is under attack.. but how is something like this possible?

As researchers race to try and understand the disease, LILITH will request everyone to quarantine themselves on base for the safety of the public. Gradually, the disease spreads across the base only for tests to reveal: the Outsiders are left unaffected.

As the month progresses, more and more of LILITH’s employees find themselves bedridden with the deadly disease until by the 30th of May, only Outsiders are left standing and healthy; all the LILITH crew has been affected. The civilian population outside the base is safe for now, but for how long? Unless something is done, it is estimated all humans working for LILITH will be dead by late June.

"Greetings, my children. Worry not. I come here to report some concerning news: both Captain Yamakawa and Commander Shiro have fallen gravely ill. Since I am an A.I assistant, my health is optimal. Seok Dang has also fallen ill, though he is still in denial of it. I will do my best to take care of each and every one of— "


"BULLSHIT!! This is nothing! I've had hangovers worse than this, you hear me? Calm your terabyte-tits, bitch. I'm here. There ain't nothin' that is gonna stop me, in fact, with the higher ups feelin' like shit, that would put me in command, right? W-Wait, hold that thought, I.. feel like I'm gonna throw up."


Seok Dang tried to stay on the line, but all that was heard was gut-wretching vomiting, to which SYNTHIA promptly cuts his connection. Sorry about that.

It is up to the Outsiders to find the source of the disease and resolve the crisis before all hope is lost. Is this somehow related to those Outsiders who recently disappeared? Wait, aren’t there a few Outsiders here who have seen this flu before and can recognize it…?

▶ 003. LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCKDOWN.

While everyone is quarantined on base, they are encouraged to communicate with each other through the network. During this time, they can do research, share ideas, and try to figure out what is happening as the disease spreads across base and around the world.

While they are in lock down, LILITH encourages the Outsiders to pick up some new hobbies and interests to keep themselves active. They will have access to various workout videos. Some of the videos are hosted by cyborg coaches that expect Outsiders to do things with their bodies that probably aren't physically possible. Other Outsiders might get simple ovens and jars of suspicious "starters" to bake. Of course, there are other hobbies like growing miniature artificial plants, board games, virtual reality games, and more to keep them interested while they're trapped inside!

After about a week, when it becomes obvious the Outsiders are unaffected, they will be allowed to leave their rooms and roam freely to assist. LILITH does not understand why they are not affected but they are depending on the Outsiders for help now more than ever.

Though they are free to wander and seem to be immune for the time being, LILITH warns if they experience any cold-like symptoms, they should report their status and quarantine immediately.

▶ 004. AFTERWORD + SPECIAL NOTE.

Welcome to May's downtime mingle! All tags on this log are worth 2 points.

The June Event is a player plot that is going to differ from regular events in a few ways: Outsiders have to find the location for the next Kaiju fight on their own using hints given in the From Sumer With Love prompt, and correlating them with the past and ongoing disappearance of various Outsiders. They can use LILITH’s equipment to look for anomalies across the globe, however there is not enough time to scan or contact every region in the world. Outsiders need to guess where the anomaly likely is before they can get confirmation. There is a PLOTTING post for this event over here.

Furthermore, they will have to reach this destination through their own means as there is no LILITH staff left to fly them there. Vehicles can be requisitioned, but will have to be flown by Outsiders on their own. This also means Outsiders are free to stay behind at the base if they prefer, as nobody will force them to go. Pain-relieving medicines can also be developed if the true nature of the disease is found and the appropriate characters work on it, though nothing short of defeating the anomaly will solve this crisis and save everyone.

Last but not least: this event will have two Kaiju battles, one on each log as well as many different challenges the Outsiders will have to solve on their own if they want to save LILITH and bring home their missing friends! Please use this thread to ask questions and offer your proposals as to what the Outsiders should do (location guessing, transport, etc). Proposals made in this thread will affect the first and second prompts of the first log.


EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. WINNER'S CIRCLE: The heavy hitters/KO winners of the last kaiju fight receive their sponsorships and inspire new trends, including an interest in collecting swords, a new live action series (like Power Rangers), and free bread.

2. FROM SUMER WITH LOVE: A mysterious disease spreads across LILITH's bases. The symptoms are like the common cold/flu but much more severe. There is currently no cure. Outsiders seem to be immune to the disease. After quarantining, they are encouraged to investigate and come up with plans for the battle to come.

3. LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCKDOWN: While on lockdown, Outsiders are encouraged to try some new hobbies. They can also communicate through the network and do research to uncover additional clues and come up with more plans.
lifeprice: (pic#16452026)

[personal profile] lifeprice 2025-05-17 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Tsurumaru - that's not like him. He's always sure of himself? Confident? I've never felt real confusion from him.
followyourstar: (12)

[personal profile] followyourstar 2025-05-17 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I may not have been able to see anything, but it was a memory. Maybe it was something in his past before he started to feel more confident in himself?

[Though they don't know him as well as this guy seems to.]

That's just a guess though.
misclassed: FANART; <user name="desu_wayo" site="twitter.com"> (☸ 108)

un: forgery

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-05-17 02:51 pm (UTC)(link)
A blade's purpose is set the moment its edge is honed.
Edited (USERNAMES, UGH) 2025-05-17 14:52 (UTC)
followyourstar: (27)

[personal profile] followyourstar 2025-05-17 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)
?

Are you saying that wouldn't be the case because he was made to be confident?
misclassed: GAME; SPRITE. (☸ 116)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-05-17 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Confident isn't the word I'd use. It's like...

The world moved past needing blades in conflict centuries ago, but a sword is still a sword. A beautiful sword doesn't lose its grace simply because it no longer draws blood. His purpose should be a constant. Even when he was damaged, he had it.
lifeprice: (pic#16452032)

[personal profile] lifeprice 2025-05-17 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Tsurumaru knows himself. If he's confused, it's something different. Wrong.

He's... That's not him.
the_fourteenth: (138)

Raidou Kuzunoha XIV | Devil Summoner | Everlight | current

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-17 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
🞂001. LOCKDOWN
[Raidou isn't taking to quarantine well. Normally he's got enough projects that it wouldn't be too much of a problem to keep himself distracted. But between the mystery of the Outsiders vanishing, and LILITH employees getting lethally ill, it's hard for him to focus. He paces whatever spaces they're allowed in, deep in thought, trying to put clues together in his head and online. You could always join him in his discussions here.

If you stop to talk to him, or maybe help provide a diversion from work, you might need to say his name a few times before he hears you. He's a little distracted and tired. He does like cooking and baking, maybe you can get him to help with bread making? Literally anything to get him to relax a little.]

🞂002. FLU
[Once let out of lockdown, Raidou decides to assist the sick LILITH employees. He's no doctor, but they're people who're suffering, and he always wants to help. Considering how sick some of them are, it's pretty unpleasant work, but he can handle it. How an illness could only target LILITH employees is so strange, but he can't even being to figure that out. He'll focus on caring for them and let the details be left to the Outsiders with medical experience.

If you come by the med bay, for whatever reason, Raidou will stop you first to make sure you're not showing any symptoms.]

Can I please take your temperature before you enter?


🞂003. PREPARATION
[Looks like some travel might be needed in the future for this rescue mission, and Raidou's skills could end up being very useful. After nearly a year and a half here, Raidou hasn't had any call to use his exorcism or magical skills in this world much at all, so it's time to make sure he's in the best fighting shape possible.

At the Kyoto base, if you're someone who can sense magic, you might feel him before you see him. Raidou wouldn't even be Raidou if he wasn't a powerful magic user as well as fighter. A titled summoner like him has to be exceptionally powerful in both ways.

Raidou is in the training area, using his clan's katana to practice exorcism spells with it. Swift, vicious attacks of immense spiritual power, strong enough to defeat gods. But will it be enough for whatever they might be facing in the future?

If you'd like to come see what he's doing (sure is impressive to watch), ask some questions or join in the sparring session, go for it.]

🞂004. WILDCARD
[For anything else that might pop up while this player event is explored, or if you need Raidou for something else not listed here. Please note that anything here will take place before May 19th.]
the_fourteenth: (143)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-17 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
It does sound like that will be the best option for me, but I want others to know that I can try the ritual if nothing else works. No human sacrifices needed.
followyourstar: (09)

[personal profile] followyourstar 2025-05-17 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[As someone who has rarely, if ever, been 100% confident in much of anything in their life at any given moment, they're still having trouble grasping this idea, but... They can't deny that these two know Tsurumaru better than they do.]

Then... I wonder if it was from when he was taken. Or after.
nutkick: (18)

[personal profile] nutkick 2025-05-17 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he scoffed. ] i'm pretty sure they're meant to suck and be depressing.
gotta keep the reputation of 'the worst place to be'.

... not sure she's as depressing as you think she is. she was pretty nice to me.
a bit intense, but nice.


[ considering he was asking her if life would be better without death, or her basically. ]
intertwinedfates: mellow talk (13)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2025-05-17 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
sounds like you have a tricky job, all things considered. can't say I envy you, that's for sure
lifeprice: (pic#16920263)

[personal profile] lifeprice 2025-05-17 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a lead. I'm going to keep my ring active and try to focus on that feeling. Thanks.
intertwinedfates: peace grin (67)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2025-05-17 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
As long as people believe in us. Some gods are truly ancient, having been worshiped since a good ten-thousand years before turn of the century. [So yeah, by that gauge he really is young! One day he'll get a grasp on his midlife crisis, heh.]

Not like this. [He barely gets an answer out before they're going in for the attack, with Katsuki landing perfectly atop their target. Once he's got the guy's wallet, Yato takes the opportunity to scurry after the camera, snapping it up and flipping through it with a frown. He then tries to wave off the disturbed person next door, smiling wryly.]

Nothing to see here! Just a little police business.

[Yeah, he's using Katsuki's rank to allay any suspicions that they're the bad guys. No need to over complicate things or make their lives more difficult by having the police called. He then comes next to the sad sack of a stalker and crouches down in front of him with a sigh.]

And there's always asking, you know. Whatcha say, Katsuki? Should we give him a picture? [Before he can balk at the idea, Yato's slinging his arm around Katsuki's shoulder and grins as he holds up the camera and takes a selfie of them, all the while making bunny ears behind the blond.]

Cheeeeese~!
misclassed: FGO; CRAFT ESSENCE. (Default)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-05-17 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Hah! If he figures something useful out from that, I'll have to buy him a drink.

[ ... also assuming we get him unkidnapped... and survive the beast. ]

But it seems there's so much overlap here, it's hard to say what's actually workable information and what's just conjecture. And we're short a genius to find the patterns.

[ muramasa's just a blacksmith, this is beyond him. ]
followyourstar: (14)

[personal profile] followyourstar 2025-05-17 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
No problem. Let me know if you find anything.
misclassed: MANGA; FROM LOSTBELT. (☸ 80)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-05-17 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
You all should stop listening to every single first thing Tezcatlipoca says anyway.

[ He's saying this mostly to Aventurine, who is standing right next to him. ]

If you wanna visit the shores of the Sanzu you start by going up to Bodai-ji rather than getting your knife out, right?
Edited (fixing tenses?) 2025-05-17 17:10 (UTC)
followyourstar: (12)

[personal profile] followyourstar 2025-05-17 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
No kidding. I guess we're about at the point where the only thing we can do is start sending people in.

At least we have something. From the others, too.
stonehearts: 🦚 fanart → COMING SOON (pic#17852798)

not here

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-17 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
misclassed: GAME; SPRITE. (☸ 120)

IN MEATSPACE.

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-05-17 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ peepaw scowl ]
stonehearts: 🦚 hoyofair → <user name=megane98_ site=twitter.com> (pic#17639442)

🥩🌌

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-17 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
What? It's not like the death would stick right now, given everything. And I've got a great track record of using my own death to get exactly what I want.

( he's just saying! )
misclassed: MANGA; SHIMOSA. (☸ 59)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-05-17 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Dead men don't get anything except another turn on the wheel of fate if they're not at peace with the world.

[ Which you're not, Aventurine. He can see it as clear as the angry karma on your heart. ]

Besides, if it doesn't stick, it's not a sacrifice, you numbskull. [ (affectionate?) ] Shit like that has a real price, or everyone would be using it to visit their ancestors like it's a summer festival.
nutkick: @maerad ;dnt (118)

[personal profile] nutkick 2025-05-17 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ they both needed some foolery to tame the tension, even if it was short-lived, still crucial to give their brewing anxiety a tiny break. it always starts with a waiting game in this city; the danger comes in warning signs that often do nothing more than to rattle them, rendering them helpless and unable to do much but to wait for the climax. it's a pattern lately, and each time they vow to do better, to fight harder, and do something different — alas, denji finds himself uncertain on what to do aside from staying close to bakugou. he didn't care if he had to shadow that boy to the bathroom, he'd fucking do it. then again, the more he thinks of the way tsurumaru disappeared, the more it disturbs him. his smile falters, brittle at the edges, held together by muscle memory more than joy. every second, it dulls. the calm around them feels thin, stretched like a sheet over broken glass. and denji... he’s slipping. right into the weight of it all.

he still laughs a bit at bakugou's playful stunt, not really masking that fear growing inside him; an odd mixture between finding comfort next to his boyfriend while still fighting the demons inside. he scoffed again, shaking his head before resting it against his hand, while the other reached out for the yummy treat. ]
... You're a freak ♥ [ only someone like bakugou would think about being cozy with a devil wielding chainsaws. heh, maybe one day they can explore it. one day, maybe, when the chaos finally takes a breath. though truth be told, nothing's felt remotely normal since vegas. hell, has it really been this long? a blur of half-lived days, sharp turns, and a steady drip of uncertainty, like the universe forgot how to be kind. just one fucked-up moment bleeding into the next, and they’ve been running on fumes ever since.

for once, denji isn't attacking his food as usual. instead, he kept eyeing the other boy quietly. it’s not the kind of stare that lets things slide— it’s the kind that knows the weight of silence, knows they can’t keep dodging the conversation forever. he sits with it a little longer, letting the pop of the fire and the gentle hush of the lake wrap around them. he could lead with i’m scared, katsuki — short, honest, a clean hit to the chest. but damn, wouldn’t that sound lame? uncool as hell. and yet, it’s the truth sitting on his tongue. ]


After we're done eating, I'll need a hug. And you're not allowed to grumble this time, too.
lifeprice: (pic#16920216)

[personal profile] lifeprice 2025-05-17 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I got my arm from them, so it must be different.

[ He is curious, though, about Vash's arm, wondering if he could get a grapple for his own. Perhaps he could ask LILITH later, if they manage to get everyone back, and he doesn't go insane. ]

All my attachments are from them too.

[ Ah, well... ]

I'm getting ready to find him. I'm going to do whatever it takes.
eyescar: (pic#16721663)

🞂003

[personal profile] eyescar 2025-05-17 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The sense of magic and power is what draws Yuji into the training area, his eyes widening for a moment and hovering by the door. It's always impressive to see other people fight, to see their skills and how their powers work, and he gives his boyfriend a little bit of time until he seems to come to a pause, and then he's smiling.

It's small, and weak, but... ]


Johei.
lostdestiny: (cranky - minerva)

[personal profile] lostdestiny 2025-05-17 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Is there a god of conflict at home, egging on all the perpetual fighting? Can he get rid of it? But --

As we are now, we are the seeds of conflict.

-- no, he's tried eradicating conflict at what people told him was its root, and if it had worked it would have been a disaster. In fact: ]


"Needs to be done"? People saying someone "needs" to be killed are usually wrong

[ This would be very bitter with a big dose of "oops my bad" if it was in-person. ]

So is killing the only solution you've got?