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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.
the_fourteenth: (097)

@kuzunoha14

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-21 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
["Kur, is something like my backyard"... Wait, exactly who is this guy, anyway? Raidou has so many questions, but that's the least important right now.]

- Is there anything we can do to mitigate the fever in the meanwhile?
- I've heard that the entrance might be reachable via caves. Do you agree with this? What is the fastest way to find one? Please don't say through dying.
- LILITH's process of bringing certain kinds of people to Neo Tokyo tends to cause them to lose a lot of their original power. On her home turf, I expect we might be facing an Ereshkigal at her strongest, yes?
- We are to presume then that those who have been kidnapped via rifts have been taken to become guardians of the gates. Are they dead? Will we have to kill one in order to pass through a gate?
byoukyu: (pic#17711745)

un: honorary babygirl

[personal profile] byoukyu 2025-05-21 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Even if a disease can't be cured right now, it can still be treated in the mean time.

Fever, cough, difficulty breathing...
These are still symptoms that can be treated with available medicine and technology.

We administer whatever treatment we can, observe them, and just try to keep their health from getting even worse.

Luckily for us, if this guy is right, we don't have to sit around and wait for a cure. We can get it for ourselves.
the_fourteenth: (112)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-22 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
That's all we can do for now, correct. But I am afraid for some of them as they only seem to be getting worse, not even plateauing.

If he's right, we need to start searching now for the way in. There's no time to waste.
byoukyu: (pic#17719902)

[personal profile] byoukyu 2025-05-23 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Unfortunately, I'm not sure what else we can do right now then.

My best idea is... try to treat as many people as we can and beat Ereshkigal as quickly as possible to cure everyone.
the_fourteenth: (037)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-24 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
That's all we can do.

Thanks again for your assistance in the med bay.
byoukyu: (pic#17777014)

[personal profile] byoukyu 2025-05-24 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
It's what we can do.*

(He's choosing to keep positive.)

You never know. We might find something else between now and later.

And don't worry about it.

I'm glad I can put all of those doctor visits to use.
the_fourteenth: (113)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-25 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
I hope whatever ailment you made have had to give you such experience is no longer a problem, for your sake.
byoukyu: (pic#17711876)

[personal profile] byoukyu 2025-05-25 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks.
I'm better now.


(Still not good but he doesn't need to add to anyone's worries right now.)
gilgamess: (pensive/thoughtful)

[personal profile] gilgamess 2025-05-21 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I am a sage, not a doctor... though it may be possible. Are there any medical doctors within LILITH? As with any other disease, I would put the matter to them.

Caves? Yes, of course. I am not certain death would bring one to the correct Underworld here in any case, if that one god is to be believed, so I would not recommend others take such a rash course. Kur is a physical location. If I entered it alive, others may also... though it shall not be the easiest journey. But that makes it all the more worthy for one, does it not?

For your final question, I cannot be certain. It is mere speculation, but if the number goes to seven, that might indeed be the case. Well, perhaps we shall soon if I am correct about this... but I do not think they are dead, no. We shall soon see... perhaps.


[ Jeez, you think he knows everything, Raidou? Some of this is theoretical. INFORMED theories, but still. ]

Finally, you are indeed accurate: in the Underworld, Ereshkigal holds absolute Authority. She may prove a fearsome foe, but I am certain we can find a means to victory. Even if her Beast class increases her powers in some absolute senses, if she is not herself, she may be lacking in other respects. But we would all do well not to go in unprepared.
the_fourteenth: (077)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-22 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sorry Gil, you got in this detective's line of sight.]

I appreciate the answers. We don't have a lot to go on right now, so anything even remotely close to a lead is welcome.

We need to start searching immediately for the entrance.
gilgamess: (smilleeee)

[personal profile] gilgamess 2025-05-25 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I presume air travel has already been arranged, or is in the process thereof?

Under other circumstances, I would have my own craft for that... but it may not be so easily accessible here. But perhaps that is just as well. Complaining about the inadequate means of commoners and shared vehicles and lodgings is one of the joys of travel, I suppose. Along with risks, of course.

I do of course have resources for maps in my vault, though as I have mentioned, it is possible that there have been changes since my last visit. After all, mine would have been thousands of years ago now...


[ NOSTALGIA. ]
the_fourteenth: (169)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-26 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
We have the mechs, we have Kaga-san and her sister, but we could probably use more. We should take the transport to Alexandria and go from there.

I suppose it would be better than nothing. We can take a look at any maps you have and scan them to the network for everyone to share.


[Curiosity is getting the better of him now.]

Can I ask how you're related to all this?

[It seems like a less rude question than "Who even are you?]
gilgamess: (in the cups)

[personal profile] gilgamess 2025-05-28 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
Uruk is my kingdom and Ereshkigal is the goddess of its Underworld, Kur, so it is naturally expected that I should have Authority here. The Authority to reprimand her, when the time comes, will also be mine.

Though I do not presume I am the one who will do the most in battle here... I think that role shall fall to others, should a battle transpire.
the_fourteenth: (005)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-28 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's at this point Raidou remembers they now have access to their data files. He takes a second to check that, and... oh. That explains a lot. LILITH never stops surprising Raidou with who they can bring here.]

So it sounds like we will need to weaken her for you to enact this?
gilgamess: (pleased)

[personal profile] gilgamess 2025-05-29 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That is a smart move, Raidou. ]

Typically, the arrival of a Beast necessitates a response from a Grand Servant. While I technically have the capacity for such a role... I am uncertain I would be the one for this. We shall see, I suppose, what methods turn out to be best. Of course it would be good to know everyone's abilities, going in.
the_fourteenth: (169)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-30 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
If you don't think you're the one to be this Grand Servant, who would be? We're limited here choosing among the Outsiders who are left.

Good point. We might need to make a network post and ask those who'd be willing to share what they can do.

I've already shared mine, but I'd be willing to do so again.