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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
βΆ 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 Outsidersβ 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.
βΆ 002. FROM SUMER WITH LOVE.
Around the same time, a few LILITH employees show signs of a common cold β 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 β 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 LILITHβs 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, arenβt there a few Outsiders here who have seen this flu before and can recognize itβ¦?
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 LILITHβs 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, arenβt there a few Outsiders here who have seen this flu before and can recognize itβ¦?
βΆ 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.
βΆ 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 LILITHβs 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 LILITHβs 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
( He motions towards the plants, Bakugo's healing realm. )
Seeing what might take. It's pretty, the stuff she's managed so far. But it's all ship-bound. Right where they crashed.
no subject
[Probably the smarter way to do it once they realize there won't be a quick fix return to the stars. He frowns at the plants in thought, knowing there's no helping them from here, but unable to not wish he could somehow aid them.]
Do you have any idea what planet you were originally headed to?
no subject
( A hum. )
If we could get No Man's Land working it would be better.
no subject
[Vash seems to at least accept they're stuck there and opts to make the world habitable to them, while Bakugo remains stubborn in his belief they could or should try to get back into space. He's not seen the scope of the crash and the state of the ships, so he acknowledges he's at a disadvantage, but...
Tch, just seems the rest of Vash's world has given up and quit trying to escape.]
no subject
( A hum. )
A lot of the ships were destroyed, all the information they kept on them is gone.
no subject
... oh, well there's that answer then. Damn.
Bakugo goes to rub his face, but stops before he gets there. Right, dirty hands.]
Did you ever think your ships were somehow knocked out on purpose?
no subject
They were. It was on purpose.
( Light, so light. )
I had Rem's access codes. I gave them to Nai. He did something with them. He saved the ships with the plants, but set it so the ones with the humans in cryo would crash. The only reason any of them survived is because Rem stayed back. She was able to fix some of it, but she died because of it.
no subject
Leaving Vash with the weight of guilty responsibility and blame he didn't ask for or deserve, yet shoulders regardless.]
Bastard.
[Did he really think he could make a desert wasteland into his own paradise? Or was anything, even eking out survival on a dirtball, better than being used as humanity's batteries...]
no subject
Yeah. Yeah, he was. I loved him a lot though.
( A sniff. )
You can see why I'd want to fix things.
no subject
And you haven't given up on him, even after all that.
no subject
( He doesn't know. )
He's done terrible things to people. He's caused so much pain. Do you know he sent Wolfwood after me? That's how we met. And I should hate him for that, because Wolfwood's -. ( A pause, another soulful hum of sound. ) Wolfwood didn't deserve anything that has happened to him. Nobody did. But Nai is my brother. And that isn't going to change. I still keep hoping that even after everything, after Rem, and all those years of violence, that I can get to the boy he was somehow.
( He might be dead. Vash still seesaws on that. )
He just got lost. I let him get lost.
no subject
[After everything Vash said, Bakugo knew those words were coming. The guilt over seeing someone he cared about go down a wrong path, thinking over and over what he could've done better, what he could've done to stop it, why didn't he see it, what could he have done differently. If only, if only, if only...]
Every villain has an "if only" moment every hero or person grapples with. I've seen heroes whose family members became villains. Of course they're gonna blame themselves.
But Nai and those other villains... they made their choices. Blaming it on someone else is a coward's way out.
You didn't force your brother to do shit, Vash.
no subject
Yeah, I know. We were just kids when it all happened. What did I know?
( He bites his lip, shrugging. )
I just wish we could get another chance.
no subject
And then it all deflates, capping off a defeatist sort of dismissal Bakugo growls in irritation at. Someone kicking himself still. He's tempted to dump dirt down Vash's shirt.]
You don't think you can save him?
no subject
( Weirdly light. )
I don't actually -. I don't want to know. So. He might not be. He might be fine. He has to be fine. Anyway, that's why I -. Well, it's kind of why I want to stay here. That and I don't know if I can stop what was happening hurt anyone else. Nai was ... he really wanted to hurt people. I had to stop him. And he wouldn't give up, so.
( Help. )
Actually, can we just think about something else?
no subject
Bakugo has no idea how someone could separate the two. But... he's an only child, so of course he wouldn't know.
A final tap of the spade and he stands up.]
Aa. Come on. We finished with this. Let's clean up.
no subject
Thanks. For letting me hang out. For teaching me about this stuff. I'll help you keep an eye on it now.
no subject
It won't take long to finish cleaning up the area, all the happy little plants nestled in their own pots and resting under the warm lamp. They'll grow strong in this place.]
You better keep improving from here. [He doesn't teach people things to have them waste it.] Go wash up; I'll put these away.
no subject
I'm gonna, don't you worry about that, Bakuboom. I'll see you later, okay?
( And lo, the scurrying. )
no subject
[Bakugo watches Vash scurry off to the sink to wash up. Hopefully this helped distract the guy from his problems even if it ended up churning a few of them. Gives him something else to do and add to his repertoire of skills. Hopefully with more work and more hands, the garden of medical herbs will grow even more.]