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πš‚πš’πš—πšπš•πšžπš‘ π™Όπš˜πšπšœ ([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

β–Ά 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.

β–Ά 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 ofβ€” "


"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…?

β–Ά 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.

β–Ά 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.
fursuit: (β‘  tlahuetzquitiliztli.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2025-05-19 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
well I wouldn't personally call it hell

but yeah, I made and preside over an underworld. mictlampa is my domain. one of the underworlds of the aztecs.

hell kinda comes after mine technically speaking since mictlan is way harsher
fursuit: (β‘  ezcocotli.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2025-05-19 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
but be prepared if that's what it's gotta be. being too sentimental will get you killed.

not that I'm complaining about that either exactly. this war has been pretty damn bloodless overall so if more people die to even things out that'd be better for me
fursuit: (β‘  tlahuetzquitiliztli.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2025-05-19 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
yeah fingers crossed

since otherwise gonna have to go with some reckless shit

which sounds fun but probably not ideal
fursuit: (β‘  centlachiya.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2025-05-19 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
no wonder LILITH picked the people they did I guess. there's a hell of a lot of you somehow

just don't get too wrapped up in being nice? that's how you get killed since it ain't like every monster can be won over by the power of friendship
fursuit: (β‘  inacaztitech ninopiloa.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2025-05-19 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
convenient. you won't be able to miss me in that case.

[ And indeed, as Yuta makes it to that common area, Tezcatlipoca is very obvious. He's taken over one of the couches and is lounging on it so casually that you wouldn't expect that he's just lost a kidney. Luckily, his midriff bearing shirt also shows the large, ugly looking bruise on his side that implies there had been internal bleeding.

Clearly, he's okay enough now, though, since he looks up as Yuta enters and raises a hand. ]


Yo. You my kidney farmer?

[ he thinks he's funny, unfortunately ]
photosympathies: (lxxxviii.)

ASTARION BOYFRIEND!!!!

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-05-19 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
( Taryon putting him to shame with those quick reflexes. Vash at least finishes mopping up the spilled coffee and offers him a sidelong grin, embarrassed before he's reaching to snatch up his book, place it on the counter. )

It's fine. I think we're all a little out of it right now with everything going on.

( And then another glance, an almost sleepy blink before recognition filters though. )

Oh! Taryon, right? Hi. There's more coffee in the pot, if you'd like.
fursuit: (β‘  elhuehuetzca.)

[personal profile] fursuit 2025-05-19 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
hahaha

sounds like you should lead the way then if you're who I think you are. you've already been there before right? so should be no problem to go back
eyescar: (pic#16721663)

[personal profile] eyescar 2025-05-19 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
do you think that's the connection?

don't worry. when it didn't work, i killed him last time.
stonehearts: 🦚 game (pic#17221636)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-19 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll take an oversimplification if it gets us what we need. Caves shouldn't be that hard to find -- any hints on how to narrow down which one it might be?

Are you saying I shouldn't multitask? Haha! But if she's done anything to Ratio no plea for mercy is going to work, and I'm a patient man when it comes to revenge
photosympathies: (cxv.)

perf ty

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-05-19 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I mean that would make corralling the kaiju a little easier.

Do your Hollows ever kidnap people?
misclassed: FANART; <user name="misuko_mm" site="twitter.com"> (☸ 102)

[personal profile] misclassed 2025-05-19 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Fine, not this time.
eyescar: (pic#17186850)

[personal profile] eyescar 2025-05-19 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sometimes, things might be easier if Yuji was able to register his own exhaustion.

His cursed energy and ability to heal makes it far too easy to push himself these days, and he knows it probably isn't healthy. He knows he needs to manage himself better, he knows he has to do something to make sure that he's not going over the edge, but it's hard. It's hard when all he wants to do is make sure that the people he cares about are alright.

If he can handle it, why shouldn't he? It's that simple. ]


Yeah, it's fine. [ He flexes his shoulders absently. ] Do you need to work off some stress?
likemybooks: Smirking and cocking his head. (smirk)

[personal profile] likemybooks 2025-05-19 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Hah. Ha ha, that's right. We're all just frazzled with everything going on.

[He says, mainly to console himself that they both had a clumsy moment in front of each other. His worries about seeming uncool are erased when Vash recognizes him, even without them meeting.]

That's right, I'm Taryon Darrington. [He grins and tilts his head so that his not-quite-thoroughly-brushed hair swishes.] I'm not a big coffee drinker, but thank you for the offer. I'm...not familiar with your name. My apologies. Who are you?
lifeprice: (pic#16920232)

[personal profile] lifeprice 2025-05-19 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I've heard other people say that about their weapons. It makes sense, to trust the person who made it first, or at least look to them before anything else.

[ Don't make him feel his emotions right now!! ]

You didn't let anyone down. It seems like this was unstoppable, since he's not the only one. We just need to find where they are, and then I can - do something. I can ask the Future, or another Devil.
stonehearts: 🦚 animated short (pic#17130146)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-19 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I have this peculiar talent of being rather difficult to kill, even when someone achieved it. The same likely can't be said of anyone else -- what is this offer but one made out of concern for others?

( says aventurine, who would have been happy if anyone had killed him after ratio went missing )
stonehearts: 🦚 fanart β†’ <user name="papermoon5555" site="twitter.com"> (pic#17128515)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-19 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
The 'gods' of my world hardly intervene on the matter of a singular person's death, even someone like myself -- capable of wielding a sliver of an Aeon's power and cursed by a goddess who may not even exist

What I know is that my bets fall in my favor. Surely you've seen it, my friend, with our little games? So I'm willing to wager that I'll end up exactly where I want to be, in a manner that is... capable of returning to life again, should I desire it
stonehearts: 🦚 fanart β†’ <user name="_narumi_i" site="twitter.com"> (pic#17128532)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-19 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I have no idea
Luckily there's answers for everything on the internet
stonehearts: 🦚 fanart β†’ <user name="papermoon5555" site="twitter.com"> (pic#17128507)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-19 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
How long by air?
eyescar: (pic#15159013)

[personal profile] eyescar 2025-05-19 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
oh
right
google
stonehearts: 🦚 fanart β†’ <user name="papermoon5555" site="twitter.com"> (pic#17128507)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-19 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Now, I'm a man who's willing to take many a risky bet for the sheer joy of the game, but I don't make them until I'm certain of the outcome. And you, friend, don't sound particularly confident
the_fourteenth: (143)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-19 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Excellent find. That's a likely spot. We'll have to set out as soon as we can. Maybe we can get drones to the area first. Perhaps the Alexandria office would help?

The best way for me to tell is actually being there. I'd have to to be able to detect if there was any magical energy signature in the area. Chances are the right place would be. I'll need a lot to draw from in order to perform it.
stonehearts: 🦚 fanart β†’ <user name="papermoon5555" site="twitter.com"> (pic#17128517)

[personal profile] stonehearts 2025-05-19 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
( hang on a moment )

Did this little beast of ours exist in this world, too? Could we not simply just... look her up to find out how to get to her underworld?
eyescar: (pic#16293320)

[personal profile] eyescar 2025-05-19 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
what would we even search for
newphew: ((you can flyyyyyy))

[personal profile] newphew 2025-05-19 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ she looks fine, but he knows better. he's watched her on the network, laying onto people, lashing out, trying to get people to leave her alone. he's too stubborn for that. and he's too stubborn to take her at her appearance, that she's just fine and unaffected ]

Hunter.

[ he knows it's futile, but he says it anyway ]

Came to help you out. [ also to make sure she wasn't alone ] What are you working on?
the_fourteenth: (139)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-19 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a big area, but it's the best clue we've got right now.

... You have? Be that as it may, let's play it as safe as can be right now.