DOWNTIME MINGLE #11
Nov. 12th, 2025 11:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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synfluxDOWNTIME MINGLE #11
▶ 001. WINNER'S CIRCLE.
The return to Neo Tokyo comes with an odd sense of relief that LILITH’s angels are back to normal, but with trepidation as well. With the new danger of splicing rumbling throughout Neo-Tokyo, there is a sense that Outsiders will be busy for weeks to come on any number of missions as LILITH works to clamp down on any dangers to the populace at large. From their base, they can do little more than send Outsiders to deal with it, but the effect has been large. The rumbles and questions about these Angels, and there’s been more talk than usual about where Outsiders could have come from.
But that’s all outside of LILITH’s base. It’s fall, so LILITH’s cafeteria is thrumming with excitement as November rolls around, it's late in the harvest season, and although food can be scarce, LILITH wants everyone to partake in a little fall cheer. Everything from pumpkin croquettes to matsutakes to saury is on display. Local fall delicacies are found all over the base, and if you have reason to visit Dr. Spim, he'll have a bowl of ginnan nuts for outsiders to try.
And, of course, there’s always celebrations to be had for the Outsiders returning victorious!
GOOD JOB:
FORGERY & MONSTER (K.O.)
BLACK MIST (600) & TWISTERIA (550)
There’s always a rush of excitement as new products or trends hit the shelves and the streets after a recent kaiju defeat, and with another one defeated, the citizens are excited to follow the trends of their favorite Outsiders!
Young folks are always excited to promise the world to their young lovers, and what better way to show your affection with gifts? Promises of future marriage among teenagers and young adults alike has shifted recently to include… swords, of all shapes and sizes. Katanas, Naginatas, even Kamas and Tachis. Never let it be said that a trend can’t be capitalized on to its fullest extent. The most curious facet about them, is that they all have keepsakes hidden in the handle, such as promise rings, gemstones, or other trinkets and treasures that are significant to their young love. Most have a compartment hidden in there, and it’s a game for young lovers to try to guess what their love hid in the handle, but promise not to peek until their wedding day. The compartments are sealed, and one truly won’t know precisely how thoughtful their partner is, until they open it. Or they break up, and look anyway. It’s hard resisting the temptation, but it’s already becoming a sign of commitment (in the last few weeks) to resist the urge to open it up and look inside.
Pets aren’t always the easiest to find among the majority of Neo Tokyo’s citizens, but humans always want to have a little creature to take care of. That’s why local developers are always building and improving by making more and more advanced mechanical pets, and if there’s one thing these manufacturer’s know, it’s how to make a trend. After the most recent kaiju battle, one company in particular – SoftSquares – has made an interesting new mechanical pet, and they come in sets of 3, of all things! The instructions always say that pets shouldn’t be adopted alone, even mechanical ones, and these seem to need to come in sets of three. The label promises that they are parts of an even greater whole, but nobody has been able to figure out what that means, yet.
The more fashion conscious of denizens have taken to a new trend: a good number of the local youth have taken to wearing contacts or utilizing style chips that make their eyes spiral and sparkle with a vivid rainbow of hues across the spectrum from deepest violet to vivid scarlet. It’s showing up on advertisements, on models as they show off their latest trends, and even some of the teens in harajuku are showing them off. They aren’t static, either; they ebb and flow, and bloom with color. These “Mystique Eyes” contacts are showing up everywhere, and for good reason! Who could resist such a sight?
But that’s all outside of LILITH’s base. It’s fall, so LILITH’s cafeteria is thrumming with excitement as November rolls around, it's late in the harvest season, and although food can be scarce, LILITH wants everyone to partake in a little fall cheer. Everything from pumpkin croquettes to matsutakes to saury is on display. Local fall delicacies are found all over the base, and if you have reason to visit Dr. Spim, he'll have a bowl of ginnan nuts for outsiders to try.
And, of course, there’s always celebrations to be had for the Outsiders returning victorious!
GOOD JOB:
FORGERY & MONSTER (K.O.)
BLACK MIST (600) & TWISTERIA (550)
There’s always a rush of excitement as new products or trends hit the shelves and the streets after a recent kaiju defeat, and with another one defeated, the citizens are excited to follow the trends of their favorite Outsiders!
Young folks are always excited to promise the world to their young lovers, and what better way to show your affection with gifts? Promises of future marriage among teenagers and young adults alike has shifted recently to include… swords, of all shapes and sizes. Katanas, Naginatas, even Kamas and Tachis. Never let it be said that a trend can’t be capitalized on to its fullest extent. The most curious facet about them, is that they all have keepsakes hidden in the handle, such as promise rings, gemstones, or other trinkets and treasures that are significant to their young love. Most have a compartment hidden in there, and it’s a game for young lovers to try to guess what their love hid in the handle, but promise not to peek until their wedding day. The compartments are sealed, and one truly won’t know precisely how thoughtful their partner is, until they open it. Or they break up, and look anyway. It’s hard resisting the temptation, but it’s already becoming a sign of commitment (in the last few weeks) to resist the urge to open it up and look inside.
Pets aren’t always the easiest to find among the majority of Neo Tokyo’s citizens, but humans always want to have a little creature to take care of. That’s why local developers are always building and improving by making more and more advanced mechanical pets, and if there’s one thing these manufacturer’s know, it’s how to make a trend. After the most recent kaiju battle, one company in particular – SoftSquares – has made an interesting new mechanical pet, and they come in sets of 3, of all things! The instructions always say that pets shouldn’t be adopted alone, even mechanical ones, and these seem to need to come in sets of three. The label promises that they are parts of an even greater whole, but nobody has been able to figure out what that means, yet.
The more fashion conscious of denizens have taken to a new trend: a good number of the local youth have taken to wearing contacts or utilizing style chips that make their eyes spiral and sparkle with a vivid rainbow of hues across the spectrum from deepest violet to vivid scarlet. It’s showing up on advertisements, on models as they show off their latest trends, and even some of the teens in harajuku are showing them off. They aren’t static, either; they ebb and flow, and bloom with color. These “Mystique Eyes” contacts are showing up everywhere, and for good reason! Who could resist such a sight?
▶ 002. WE'RE A CULTURAL BUNCH HERE.
As the year marches on, the weather continues to get cooler in Neo Tokyo. While the city isn't known for nature, locals head to parks to view the changing leaves, and a few brave souls might venture outside the city to see more spectacular fall views. Even in the bustling neon streets of Neo Tokyo, it's nice to stop and appreciate smaller things in life.
The cultural festivities from earlier in the month are still continuing. Everyone can still try their hand at activities like tea ceremony, flower arranging, and martial arts but it seems that the number of exhibitions is increasing. Different districts across the city host festivals celebrating local culture with food, dance, and other activities. In particular, those who come from displaced communities from past kaiju attacks use the opportunity to share their traditions and even some of their community memories. Some neighborhood centers come together for physical booths, but more interestingly…
The game centers in Neo Tokyo collaborate with these communities to let them create virtual worlds based on research and memories. Instead of the fright fests from Halloween, users can visit various prefectures across Japan and other countries from around the world that were previously destroyed and may no longer be accessible. These experiences can be private or public depending on user settings. Unfortunately, it's easy to miss the privacy settings so there's a chance a private virtual experience might end up being available to the public if you aren't careful. The individuals running their own virtual worlds are always happy to tell you about their culture, their homes, and Outsiders who may recognize the locations bring a tear to their eye, when talking about their homes. Even if they are still around, things are simply not like they used to be, before the kaiju appeared, and a small picture into the world that was before is… much different than it is now. There was more of…everything. More technology, people, food, and even excitement. Getting in on the fun will certainly pique the interests of the population about LILITH, and may see dividends to bringing more locals into working with them, in time.
On LILITH's base in Shinjuku, local agents and Outsiders are encouraged to have a fun culture exchange among themselves, too! LILITH is a diverse group, and on base, there are fliers for using the Library and Greenhouse, as well as the Simulation Rooms for their own cultural exchange. If Outsiders want to, they can grab a table and present whatever they want. Maybe you want to hold a small impromptu concert, or a little art show. How about telling stories from your homeland? Maybe there is a game someone knows that’s popular. Go wild! Use the Simulation Rooms or the Dataverse if it’s more convenient in the moment. To help them, LILITH will give them a small allowance to buy what they need for their booths, or free use of the Simulation Room to make virtual versions of their worlds. Outsiders are welcome to give virtual tours, talk about where they came from, and feel… a little homesick, if they wish. Maybe even serve some food and refreshments, if you can find the right ingredients. There’s no better way to bond with your allies than learn a little bit more about where they came from. Maybe you’ll find something in common with each others, play a game, or even find a new favorite food!
The cultural festivities from earlier in the month are still continuing. Everyone can still try their hand at activities like tea ceremony, flower arranging, and martial arts but it seems that the number of exhibitions is increasing. Different districts across the city host festivals celebrating local culture with food, dance, and other activities. In particular, those who come from displaced communities from past kaiju attacks use the opportunity to share their traditions and even some of their community memories. Some neighborhood centers come together for physical booths, but more interestingly…
The game centers in Neo Tokyo collaborate with these communities to let them create virtual worlds based on research and memories. Instead of the fright fests from Halloween, users can visit various prefectures across Japan and other countries from around the world that were previously destroyed and may no longer be accessible. These experiences can be private or public depending on user settings. Unfortunately, it's easy to miss the privacy settings so there's a chance a private virtual experience might end up being available to the public if you aren't careful. The individuals running their own virtual worlds are always happy to tell you about their culture, their homes, and Outsiders who may recognize the locations bring a tear to their eye, when talking about their homes. Even if they are still around, things are simply not like they used to be, before the kaiju appeared, and a small picture into the world that was before is… much different than it is now. There was more of…everything. More technology, people, food, and even excitement. Getting in on the fun will certainly pique the interests of the population about LILITH, and may see dividends to bringing more locals into working with them, in time.
On LILITH's base in Shinjuku, local agents and Outsiders are encouraged to have a fun culture exchange among themselves, too! LILITH is a diverse group, and on base, there are fliers for using the Library and Greenhouse, as well as the Simulation Rooms for their own cultural exchange. If Outsiders want to, they can grab a table and present whatever they want. Maybe you want to hold a small impromptu concert, or a little art show. How about telling stories from your homeland? Maybe there is a game someone knows that’s popular. Go wild! Use the Simulation Rooms or the Dataverse if it’s more convenient in the moment. To help them, LILITH will give them a small allowance to buy what they need for their booths, or free use of the Simulation Room to make virtual versions of their worlds. Outsiders are welcome to give virtual tours, talk about where they came from, and feel… a little homesick, if they wish. Maybe even serve some food and refreshments, if you can find the right ingredients. There’s no better way to bond with your allies than learn a little bit more about where they came from. Maybe you’ll find something in common with each others, play a game, or even find a new favorite food!
▶ 003. SPLICING TAKES A TURN.
LILITH’s efforts earlier this month have started to pay dividends, but capitalism continues on, as the splicing seems to continue to increase within Neo-Tokyo. After all, there’s something alluring about becoming better, and what’s the reason why it can’t be biological instead of mechanical. Sure, someone might have a mechanical eye, but don’t owl eyes look so much more fetching? Doesn’t a prehensile tail that can turn into a whip have more advantages than an arm? And everyone loves to be a little bit furrier, especially when they love animals so much. Even some of LILITH’s scientists have been sporting signs that they’ve undergone surgery, try as they may to hide it. The good Dr. Spim will even mention that they’re interested in learning more, but that they need to approach it carefully. Outsiders are valuable resources, after all, and the idea of losing them to a bad splicing makes them cautious.
But for all that it is romantic and fetching, there are problems as well. These sorts of surgeries are starting to crop up alongside more deaths. Surgeries gone bad, patients much too young going under the knife, and unlicensed surgeons are just some of the factors. Not only that, but some enterprising folk in the black market are trying something different: It’s not just normal animals on the menu, but even kaiju as well. Who wouldn’t want to have the ears of a Kabus, for example, or the crest of an Imugi?
These splices are more difficult to pick out, but with it come more serious effects. With Kaiju DNA comes kaiju-adjacent abilities, and they are difficult to control. A Gigakame-spliced local might be great to talk to if you like turtles, with a new shell forming on their back, but the apartment melting down from the magma boiling under their skin is not. The gang that all get Vescidae spliced may look cool with their yellow and black stripes, and the way that they all seem to almost communicate silently with motion alone, but the way their hideout is slowly seeming to become covered in paper and dangerous to walk near is causing problems to local businesses.
The problems are increasing faster than LILITH can handle them, and the answer is clear: these individuals must be taken in for both study, and to see if they can separate the DNA from the individual. Kaiju DNA is far too dangerous, especially when it’s given out with apparent wild abandon all over the city. Outsiders will be informed that LILITH wants to help these individuals get back to rights, but the more information they gather, the more useful it may be for future rewards or benefits, as well. They are interested in figuring out the how, and are working diligently to figuring out how the splicing actually works. They’ll need to collect both surgeons and spliced locals, and bring them back to base.
(For the most part, if you play with this prompt, please feel free to use the beastiary and make up splicing combinations with powers, and feel free to make up minor kaiju of your own! If the damage is greater than a city block, just feel free to check in with us in the Questions thread below. Otherwise, go wild!)
But for all that it is romantic and fetching, there are problems as well. These sorts of surgeries are starting to crop up alongside more deaths. Surgeries gone bad, patients much too young going under the knife, and unlicensed surgeons are just some of the factors. Not only that, but some enterprising folk in the black market are trying something different: It’s not just normal animals on the menu, but even kaiju as well. Who wouldn’t want to have the ears of a Kabus, for example, or the crest of an Imugi?
These splices are more difficult to pick out, but with it come more serious effects. With Kaiju DNA comes kaiju-adjacent abilities, and they are difficult to control. A Gigakame-spliced local might be great to talk to if you like turtles, with a new shell forming on their back, but the apartment melting down from the magma boiling under their skin is not. The gang that all get Vescidae spliced may look cool with their yellow and black stripes, and the way that they all seem to almost communicate silently with motion alone, but the way their hideout is slowly seeming to become covered in paper and dangerous to walk near is causing problems to local businesses.
The problems are increasing faster than LILITH can handle them, and the answer is clear: these individuals must be taken in for both study, and to see if they can separate the DNA from the individual. Kaiju DNA is far too dangerous, especially when it’s given out with apparent wild abandon all over the city. Outsiders will be informed that LILITH wants to help these individuals get back to rights, but the more information they gather, the more useful it may be for future rewards or benefits, as well. They are interested in figuring out the how, and are working diligently to figuring out how the splicing actually works. They’ll need to collect both surgeons and spliced locals, and bring them back to base.
(For the most part, if you play with this prompt, please feel free to use the beastiary and make up splicing combinations with powers, and feel free to make up minor kaiju of your own! If the damage is greater than a city block, just feel free to check in with us in the Questions thread below. Otherwise, go wild!)
▶ 004. OUTSIDER AID IN NEO TOKYO.
It’s starting to get quite cold in the city, but that never stopped anyone from shopping, meandering, or getting up to trouble. People can be seen walking the streets with warm yakiimo or kuri-manju in their hands from local vendors. It is getting darker sooner, but the bright lights make sure that the city continues to thrive, and also casts deep shadows where danger can lurk. There's always a need for help, and with no end to the trouble that crops up, people are always looking for that extra hand, and Outsiders have proven themselves far more capable than most.
- With the holidays starting to ramp up, an old curiosity has come with it. Outsiders who were here around this time last year will remember some subliminal messaging thrumming through the city, and tracking them down proved difficult. It's surfaced yet again, and this time, encouraging locals and Outsiders alike to purchase anything from useless junk to high-priced luxury items like vehicles and overpriced apartments. The source of it all seems to be a collection of streamers who pump out everything from music to talk radio 24/7. Taking them out will save the wallets of both the locals, and Outsiders, if you can resist the siren call of capitalism.
- On some local forums, a frantic and anemic-looking man is looking for aid. Outsiders who are interested in helping out are given contact information, and sent on a mission to break into a corporate facility deep in the guts of the business district. He asks you to steal a blood sample they obtained of his spouse, who had previously agreed to splicing with an unknown Kaiju. He fears that the company will take them into custody once they determine what the kaiju is that they are spliced with. All he will say is that their hungers are unusual, but that they have managed to solve it together. The problem is that the company who tricked them into the blood sample may use it for more nefarious purposes, such as spreading this to others. (If pressed, he will reveal that they drink blood now, but he has been a very willing bloodbag.)
- A few small businesses have started reporting that their accounts are lower than they should be, and it seems concentrated on a specific area of the city. Though they have been doing good business lately, it seems like for every dollar spent, they’re seeing a fraction shaved off, and it’s starting to add up. Outsiders can hear complaints about this throughout the city, or it can be affecting their business as well. What ends up being the culprit is a small device attached to their payment processor, and it seems to have also been attached to businesses throughout the area. Gathering enough of these devices may lead them to the source, and LILITH can help them determine the manufacturer if they wish to start digging through this mystery.
▶ 005. IT'S SYNDER TIME!
It's late, one night, when a pop-up will appear on everyone's oculars. IT'S SYNDER TIME! Welcome to our Network Mingle. This is a Tinder mingle. This is a Special Pocky Day Edition so there are some further rules!
HOW TO PLAY:
1. Pick the textarea that is under your TEAM NAME and fill out the spaces.
2. You can write the bio in character or as if Synder programmed their bio for them.
3. Each TEAM is assigned a POCKY FLAVOR. Play the Pocky Game with one of each different team for a prize! (SEE SUBMISSION THREAD BELOW.)
4. Pocky Flavors have a special effect when tasted. Their effects are the following:
We also have a code below for fun, but please don't feel pressured to use it. As always, a regular text thread works out just fine! Most importantly, have fun! All tags on this mingle will count for 2 points each.
(Please remember to put warnings for NSFW/triggering content in the subject header.)
EVERLIGHT
REVELATION
BRIMSTONE
REDEMPTION
HOW TO PLAY:
1. Pick the textarea that is under your TEAM NAME and fill out the spaces.
2. You can write the bio in character or as if Synder programmed their bio for them.
3. Each TEAM is assigned a POCKY FLAVOR. Play the Pocky Game with one of each different team for a prize! (SEE SUBMISSION THREAD BELOW.)
4. Pocky Flavors have a special effect when tasted. Their effects are the following:
Everlight - BananaParticipation in this mingle isn’t obligatory, of course. If you don’t want your character to participate, you can simply say they X'd out of the pop up.
Both characters will feel compelled to share a happy belief or thought with one another.
Revelation - Blueberry
Both characters will feel compelled to share a sad memory or belief with one another.
Brimstone - Strawberry
Both characters will feel compelled to share a mean, evil or self absorbed belief or thought with one another.
Redemption - Ube
Both characters will not feel compelled to do anything, however, the Redemption character will be able to sense the other character's anxious thoughts and emotions and feel compelled to soothe to help them.
We also have a code below for fun, but please don't feel pressured to use it. As always, a regular text thread works out just fine! Most importantly, have fun! All tags on this mingle will count for 2 points each.
(Please remember to put warnings for NSFW/triggering content in the subject header.)
REVELATION
BRIMSTONE
REDEMPTION
| ✖ / FIGHT! | ❤ / FLIRT! | ⏺ / POCKY! |
▶ 005. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our 11th downtime mingle! All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards November AC.
For the SYNDER app, characters are welcome to customize their app with different themes, as well as download sticker packs. Anything that you would typically expect to be present in a messaging app can be found!
For the SYNDER app, characters are welcome to customize their app with different themes, as well as download sticker packs. Anything that you would typically expect to be present in a messaging app can be found!
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. WINNER'S CIRCLE: Another successful mission makes Outsider-centric trends hit the street including promise swords for couples, mechanical pets and rainbow contact lenses. Will you jump on these fads too?
2. WE'RE A CULTURAL BUNCH HERE: Revisit parts of the world through simulation and exchange cultures. Outsiders are then encouraged to share their worlds and cultures with one another in the Library, Greenhouse and Simulation Room however they please.
3. SPLICING TAKES A TURN: Back alleys scientists and surgeons are dangerously splicing kaiju DNA with people. LILITH is asking Outsiders to find both surgeons and spliced experiments to be analyzed but also see if they can be separated and cured to prevent disaster.
4. OUTSIDER AID IN NEO TOKYO: Various citizens in Neo Tokyo need help with odd jobs.
5. SYNDER (POCKY EDITION): To encourage character relationships, SYNDER has appear back online on all of the oculars and Outsiders are encouraged to fill out a profile.. or AI will do it for them. Play Pocky Bingo with one of each team member and receive a prize.
