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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.
no subject
[ So, three months. Two and a half, if you don't count the two weeks spent halfway across the world hunting a nightmare, and he's already smelting down salvaged iron and pounding out masterwork knives and swords (and arrows, and sets of engraving tools, and a charcoal hatchet) at a rate that would make a mortal smith nervous. No wonder he needs help.
(Does he, though? Or did he just not turn Yuta away?)
And speaking of the assistant himself... ]
no subject
Meanwhile Yuta isn't taking his time retrieving the sword, per se, but he isn't particularly hurrying along either. It gives him a much-needed moment to regain his composure, slow the frantic beating of his heart after the bad startle, and let the subsequent embarrassment at his own outburst ebb away again. It's a good thing his classmates weren't around to witness it or he'd never live it down. (Except Yuta would gladly pay the price of being relentlessly teased ten times over and then some to have them by his side again.)
Fetching the sword from the workroom, he carries the blade with the due care and respect it deserves regardless of who it's meant for, held primly between both hands to be presented upon his return. He's calm and composed again by the time he reappears, face that perfect dead-eyed blank that betrays nothing when he does. ]
Here.
no subject
The sword is sharp when he pulls it free, and Geto hums a little. )
All right, I see now.
( Not a hack. Someone who knows what he's doing. He twists to face Muramasa again, head inclined in one direction, cheery little smile on his face. )
The proof is obviously in the using, but I can see why you're so popular, Muramasa-san.
no subject
Teeth flashing in a grin, Muramasa lightly jostles Yuta with his elbow, pleased at the reception. ]
You hear that? Popular. Nobody's said that about my work since the Bakumatsu, and even then... [ You know, what with his reputation. (Grandpa, please.)
But back to Geto. ]
So many of you young people just see an edge and think they're all the same thing. If you're content with the sword, I'm content with the work — but the next one, you're paying for materials and labor.
[ It'll be like. K8,000. Cheap, too cheap for a master's work like this. ]
no subject
The thing is he also knows how hard Muramasa works and to see his work appreciated is— well, it's deserved. Worth it for that pleased reaction. Yuta's impassive mask is broken when he's jostled, expression helplessly slipping into something sheepish and wry as he breathes out a soft titter of a laugh. ]
Infamy is a kind of popularity, isn't it?
[ Not really.
And far be it for Yuta to tell a master craftsman what to do, but he only barely suppresses a sigh when the sword is being given essentially for free and he knows the sort of prices Muramasa is likely to quote next. ]
You should really charge more...
no subject
No, I'll pay for it.
( Either because he thinks it's worth it, or because he does not want to be in some kind of invisible debt. The answer will remain a mystery, he simply fixes Muramasa with his gaze, still holding the sword, grip correcting itself. ) Okkotsu-san can tell me how much it's worth, I'll transfer it.
( Would he over charge him? Maybe. Geto would think the spite of it funny, which would appeal to a weird part of his psyche. But at least then he'd pay for it. All he spends his money on is cigarettes and hello kitty gacha anyway. )
peepaw OUT
[ He's taken time away from the forge for long enough. The next work that he's making is Yuta's own, and based on how fast things are moving, it'll be better to get it out the door now rather than later. Didn't he say that Yuta is his responsibility? Muramasa meant it.
To Yuta, as Muramasa goes turns to leave, with a friendly clap on the shoulder for farewell: ]
Figure out what three days work is worth, and that should cover it.
[ And with that declaration, that assignment of "work," Muramasa excuses himself without a further word. He walks, like a normal man, back towards the forge, scooping up a box of chopped charcoal on his way and disappearing through the open door.
Dear readers: it should not take three days to make a sword as good as the one Geto is currently holding in his hands. Either he lied, he's a freak, or he's just that good.
It could be the latter two are both true. ]
no peepaW GET BACK HERE
[ Wait, what? He's already reeling with surprise at Geto apparently trusting him enough to tell him what Muramasa's blades are worth that he really doesn't need Muramasa just agreeing and going along with him so easily. The clap on his shoulder momentarily distracts him, body kind of turning into it automatically in that same affection-starved way he always accepts hair ruffles in without any fuss whatsoever. He stares, nonplussed, at Muramasa's retreating back while Rika drifts closer to him, breaching the gap now left behind in Muramasa's wake.
It takes a beat or two for the impossibility of the task laid before him to sink in fully. ]
Ehh?
[ A little higher pitched now, distressed. ]
How am I supposed to know that...!?
[ Does he go by the day rate of any regular master blacksmith or does he take into account that Muramasa crams what would take said regular blacksmiths far longer into a mere few days? Do you charge for that kind of expertise and supernatural expedience? How much is fair? None of that is even going into the fact it's a Muramasa blade.
Yuta's eyes light up a brighter silvery blue when he activates his ocular, a clear indication that there is either some furious googling or calculating being done (it's both), even as he mutters out a muted: ]
His swords are worth millions back home.
thanks peepaw he needed this amusement
( There's a little wry smile lingering at the corner of Geto's mouth, like he very much enjoys watching Yuta flounder. Muramasa is quickly becoming someone to know it seems. ) Well, we might have to work out a payment plan if that's the case. I don't spend a lot, but we all know LILITH is stingy.
( All of his money goes on booze and cigarettes and microwaved ramen. Well. Right now. Soon it will be on the above and then feeding a gaggle of boys that he's adopted. Maybe he should get a job ... Nah. Scams. )
A shame your little friend left. I used to make money by betting on her wrestling matches. ( Cheerful little smile, even though he knows mentioning Maki will sting a little. ) Nobody quite has her skill now though, and I don't care enough to back anyone new.
( Maybe he should do it himself, ahah. )
this is bullying. he's being bullied (again).
[ It's said in a tone that's dangerously close to a whine. He sees that stupid little smile beyond all the opened tabs and he's choosing to ignore it. He is Too Stressed to care about whatever amusement Geto is getting out of his crisis right now. 🅱️oogle isn't exactly helping him figure out what a legendary blacksmith ghost should charge for his (in)famous works now that he's sort of back from the dead and producing more works again. (That probably affects the potential price too, doesn't it? This is too many factors to take into consideration!!!)
It's tempting then to just agree to the idea of a payment plan because why not if Geto is truly willing to pay? But Yuta's trying to be somewhat fair here and figuring out a baseline price will be beneficial for Muramasa in the long run so he can't exactly avoid it for long. ]
Normally he just charges K8000 if he charges anything beyond materials at all, but that's still too cheap.
[ But ah, it's hard to stay on track when Maki is brought up. It's— absolutely no surprise to hear she'd taken up wrestling and the pang of fondness he experiences is strong enough to ease the sting just a bit. (Still, he would've liked to see, to be there on the front row to cheer her on the loudest, he misses her so much.) The flicker of surprise and then brief yearning is quick to settle into a look that is distinctly unimpressed. ]
I do hope that was part of your truce with her.
[ The one Geto had mentioned when Yuta had first gotten here. Because if not and Geto made money off of her without her knowing then Maki would have been furious and Yuta is more than prepared to be angry on her behalf. Also: ]
You could just fight yourself.
[ AND STOP BEING A LAZY UNEMPLOYED BUM THAT WAY. ]