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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: (083)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-20 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[The med bay is full of ill LILITH employees, the ones who are fairing the worst right now. Raidou is no doctor, so he's just here to help with all the easier things, keeping the place clean, handing out medicine and drinks, things of that nature. When Geto busts in, he's in the middle of changing out his PPE; gloves, mask and gown. So far the flu shows no sign of harming Outsiders, but you can't be too careful.

Geto gets a withering look when he enters and demands answers, as Raidou pointedly tosses his gloves into the trash. This kid is so far beyond tired and worried, and now Yuji has gone and done the worst possible thing.]


Katsuki-kun vanished. He apparently decided the best course of action was to jump into the rift to find him.

[His quiet voice is croaky from exhaustion, or perhaps from distress.]
gorb: (lxiii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-05-21 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
( The knowledge settles quite physically over Geto, an entire little jerk of movement before he stills again. )

He jumped.

( Oh, that's fury. Fun. )

When we get Yuji back I'm going to kill him. ( Gaze slanted Raidou's way. ) Didn't you try to stop him?
the_fourteenth: (065)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-21 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[A quiet, frustrated noise escapes him at that question, and he runs his eyes tiredly.]

Do you seriously think I'd let him go had I known?

[Raidou would be lying if he hadn't had the same impulse, but he also knew what a terrible idea it was. He had to talk Yato out of doing the same.]
gorb: (xlvi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-05-22 09:49 am (UTC)(link)
You weren't there?

( The swinging of a mental focus point, he should be angry elsewhere. )

Then how do you know he jumped? Who was?
the_fourteenth: (099)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-22 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Vash saw it.

[He's quiet for a moment, looking away from Geto, fists balled tightly and voice flat and even. It's obviously taking some effort for him to keep it together.]

He wasn't taken. He jumped in. Probably thinking he could find them. Now he could be anywhere. If he's alive.
gorb: (lxxxv.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-05-23 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
( Vash. It takes him a minute. The Everlight blonde in the red coat. Idiotic, loud. All right. Geto will deal with him later. For now he swears through his teeth, aggravated. )

I know he wears rings. Do you have the match to one of them? Isn't it supposed to help you find him or something?

( He'd briefly considered them himself, once. )

Can you sense him?
the_fourteenth: (031)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-23 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Gone from my tracker. Inactive in the network. Not a trace of his cursed energy nearby.

[His magic detection skills as a summoner are extremely sharp. If Yuji was anywhere nearby, he'd know. Though right now, Geto's own energy felt overwhelming.

Arm leaned against the wall, he delivers all of that as flat as ever, eyes on the floor.]


I don't know what to do. He could be anywhere.
gorb: (xxx.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-05-23 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
( He could be.

Geto's teeth clench, and while part of him thinks to turn on his heel and storm off, there's something about Raidou's slump that has him pausing.
)

Inactive, yes. That doesn't mean it's too late. ( He'd been paying attention. The difference in Sukuna versus the rest of the kidnapped. It means Yuji is somewhere, not sent home. That means there's hope. ) We'll find him. Yuji's strong. He's stronger than most of the people I know. He'll keep fighting until we get to him.

( He's angry, he's very angry. It is, unfortunately, not Raidou's fault. )

Have you slept yet?
the_fourteenth: (172)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-23 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. He is.

[The anger that was there a moment ago is already gone, or so it sounds. He's too exhausted to keep that fire lit.]

But if he did survive, he probably won't be the same.

[Kaiju come from rifts. Rifts mutate people. Yuji is strong, yes, but is he strong enough to not suffer from those effects?]

... I'm not going to be able to sleep.
gorb: (lxiii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-05-23 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
All right, don't. And then when they need us the most you'll be too tired to think properly. You'll make mistakes. Either you or Yuji will die. All of this will be for nothing. Maybe LILITH will revive you, maybe they won't.

( It comes, rapid-fire. There is something in the edge of his words, a bitterness that he could catch between his teeth. His sigh is too heavy, weary too. )

If you can't sleep on your own then there should be something in this place that would help. You need it.
the_fourteenth: (043)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-23 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Raidou's shoulders tighten at the barbed comment, grimacing. It certainly isn't anything Raidou hasn't heard before. Sleeping at a time like this felt wasteful, but he knows Geto's right.]

Alright. Fine. I'll check. Just--

[He cuts off his own pointed words before he says something he regrets. He just doesn't want Geto, of all people, on his back like this. He lets out an annoyed huff.]

I'll take care of it.
Edited 2025-05-23 19:01 (UTC)
gorb: (lvi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-05-25 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
( He almost turns about and leaves then and there. But something in his jaw clenches, his exhale coming sharp through his nose. He is an animal barely contained, and it shows, but so the effort being made must be strangely monumental. )

We will get him back. ( Each word a slog, hard to get through, ) And then we're going to have words about the selfishness of his actions. But we will find him, Raidou-san. There's no point in grieving before it's happened. Better that you utilise those feelings into something productive. Now if you do as you say and get that rest, I will keep watch on the network. I will wake you the minute I have news. I can even leave a curse with you, if that's something that will make you believe that I'm not telling you to do this for no reason.

( And -. )

Exhaustion brings mistakes, it brings bad choices. Too many people are spiralling here. We need to be sensible.
the_fourteenth: (067)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-05-25 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Raidou doesn't want to be seen as spiraling. As unreliable during a time of crisis. Maybe it's too late for that. But maybe if he got some rest, he could be of use again later.

He also really doesn't want to be lectured by someone who also told him he doesn't care. He knows Geto and Yuji are close, which he doesn't understand, but chalks up to a bond between sorcerers. Raidou might be similar to one, but it's not the same, and he is not from their world.

He glances at Geto over his shoulder, considering it, before nodding ever so slightly.]


Then wake me if there is news.
gorb: (xliii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-05-25 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
The minute I hear anything.

( Because while Geto is not kind, he understands where Raidou is right now. His fury at the situation at hand aside, maybe he feels sympathetic. )

Try for as long as you can. I'll be able to tell otherwise.