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synflux2025-05-15 08:31 am
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2025-05-15 08:31 am
DOWNTIME MINGLE #8
DOWNTIME MINGLE #8
▶ 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!
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.
GOOD JOB: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.
FORGERY (K.O.)
AKATSUKI (600)
BANKERBOY (600)
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.
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…?
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.
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.
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.
any time after tez's network post
[ Shinn steps in with casual irreverence, taking in the old-timey surroundings and whatever Muramasa is working on in a blink with the vague familiarity of someone who half-remembers this sort of stuff from childhood museum trips. (Well. Not the driveshaft.) He hangs in the doorway, not intending to interrupt whatever Muramasa is working on but clearly wanting to get his attention and have a short conversation. ]
D'you have anything that's good at stopping demons?
[ Despite his loose body language and overall sloppiness, Shinn's expression is relatively thoughtful and focused. And he has brought a LILITH-issue katana as a quasi-offering, at least, slung over his back like a kid might carry a bokken back and forth to kendo practice. ]
no subject
[ Muramasa is in the middle of heating a billet in the forge's hearth, running the bellows with carefully timed, sharp pumps of the handle. Each time he pushes or pulls, the fire roars hotter, snapping and cracking and lighting up the dim inside of the smithy with warm red light.
It's obvious what Shinn is here for, but Muramasa remains largely focused on his fire and the billet of steel he's coaxing to a cherry red heat instead. ]
no subject
[ Shinn isn't above being snide to get his way! ... nor is Shinn above being a little underhanded to get attention when something is important. He reaches into the bag across his shoulder and pulls out a glowing dagger lodged into a stone and loudly thumps it down on the nearest surface that doesn't look like it's in active use. It's a weird and interesting blade! Shinn figures Muramasa will pay attention to it when he's at a stopping point even if Muramasa wouldn't otherwise pay attention to Shinn.
Come on, old man! Be interested in the bizarre dagger so Shinn can figure out non-lethal anti-demon tactics! ]
no subject
[ It won't work. At least, not entirely. Thankfully, this is a task that Muramasa can afford to split his attention on for now, so even though he doesn't stop working the bellows, he casts a
disparagingjudgementalbitchydiscerning glance at the dagger once he's reached the temperature he wants to keep the billet at.Boy, that king is everywhere, isn't she? ]
What's with the toy?
no subject
[ After several months, Shinn still hasn't figured out the rhyme or reason of why the dagger sometimes pops out and sometimes doesn't, so he goes to pick the whole dagger-plus-stone contraption up by the dagger's handle to demonstrate the stuck-ness and... the dagger slides right out. (Well, Shinn is being relatively "worthy" right now, trying to make things work out for Ereshkigal better than they did for Stella.) Shinn scowls exasperatedly at the blade for not cooperating before focusing back on Muramasa and his real goal. He puts the dagger back in the stone, and his expression and voice are more focused and serious now. ]
Old stories have swords that can fight demons and do magic. Are you that kind of master or not?
no subject
I'd rather just make you a new knife, kid.
[ That is a toy, not a real weapon. Please don't insult him. Just ask for the number five knife special and he'll fix you up with a perfectly good blade. ]
... By the time I was alive, oni and their ilk were of less concern than the neighboring warlords. Samurai carrying Muramasa blades turned 'em on enemy men, not monsters.
[ Turning back to the fire, Muramasa stares into the bright golden flames, watching to be sure the color of the fire is perfect for what he wants to do. ]
But in the right hands, who's to say? I can tell you that at least one of my swords has killed a god.
no subject
Is that the kind of sword you're making now? Something the "right hands" can use against a god? If she's really this dangerous...!
[ He trails off for a moment. He really wants whatever confrontation is coming up to work out non-lethally, and in his mind that requires having such overwhelming force that they can build in a margin of error to hurt without killing. Although Shinn would typically trust Destiny to handle anything the multiverse can throw at it, old-timey stories about gods and demons involve, well, old-timey swords. And between the ancient weapons found in Alexandria and LILITH handing out katanas, he's starting to think that maybe there's something to sticking to old-school weapons for some enemies. So if Muramasa can churn out a god-buster then this is the time to do it. ]
If she's dangerous, you want to do something, right?
[ Right? Shinn is action-oriented enough that he sees wanting to do something as the default, and if Muramasa totally blows him off then he will be pretty bummed.
And notably, despite being generally overconfident about his own skills, Shinn isn't putting himself forward as the right hands for a god-buster here. Jumping into (and losing) an impromptu saber fight for his squad's honor when heckled into it is one thing. But he's actually fairly locked into tactical thinking at the moment and would send any theoretical god-buster sword to whoever in LILITH can use it best.
... Shinn also knows fuckall about smithing, so despite assuming that Muramasa is working on some kind of sword, Muramasa could be working on a TV remote for all Shinn knows.... ]