IC INTRO - MARCH

[phantasmods]

Sometime after the showdown, those with communication devices from the station will all get a collective message -

Okay, everyone come back! We might need to do a final sweep or two of the beach, but it looks like most of the Fissure is stabilized! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

Everybody go ahead and come back up - and bring anyone else you found with you! I know I saw a couple new faces on the drone cameras. (*･▽･*)

Also, if you get a chance, check out the new door leading out of the residential area! It's a surprise for all your hard work. (´◕ ◡ ◕｀) There's also food in the kitchens if you're hungry and want something warm!

With that in mind, grab your new friends and go ahead and come on back.

STATION EXTERIOR

Upon returning to the station, the first thing most will probably see is Up, standing on the rooftop to congratulate everyone on a mission accomplished and also handle any questions the new arrivals might have that haven't gotten answered yet. They stand tall and graceful beside the ramp... Most of the time. Occasionally, one might catch them trying not to fidget with the belt that now hangs fashionably askew on their hips.

For those who want to seek out the surprise Charm promised, there's a second ramp leading down off the far side of the roof, as well as the door he mentioned on the network. Both lead to the shiny new viewing deck, with its mismatched furniture, half-roof, and view of the beach.

Charm himself is here, long android limbs spread across one of the lounge chairs as he fiddles with one of the wind element crystals in his lap. It occasionally reacts and blasts the tails of his red scarf in random directions, but he doesn't seem to mind.

STATION INTERIOR

Those adventuring to the kitchens will find that there are four large pots arranged in a line beneath a set of heat lamps on the stove. Three contain curry - labeled "mild," "spicy," and "the fire of a thousand suns" in neat handwriting - while the last contains plain rice. An assortment of mismatched bowls and utensils sit on the counter nearest the pots. (Welcome to Keystone Station, you'll have an easier time finding matching cutlery at your local Goodwill.)

In the common room, meanwhile, the boxes of clothes and trading post are set up again. Those who investigate something fluffy in a particular box on the end of the couch may discover a girl and friend taking a nap...

Comments

[founderinglight]

I think I prefer the daylight, myself.

[Just stirring his coffee with a tiny conjured spoon before taking a sip. Aaaaah.]

[newlawtolight]

The Sun...

[Her breath hitches at this. She seems surprised.]

You love the Sun?

[founderinglight]

[...Odd woman.]

More that I dislike the dark.

[newlawtolight]

...I see.

[Is she...deflating a little? No. No, of course not.]

I agree, though. Though I am in my element in the dark, the Sun...it is beautiful. It makes everything more wonderful.

[She folds her hands together.]

Even the scales shine brighter on the beach.

[founderinglight]

[...Okay so she just. Wants to fuck the sun, probably, or something.

There's a politician's smile growing on his face, now, even though internally there's something really UH about this interaction.]

It is certainly much easier to appreciate the rest of the world in the light.

[newlawtolight]

Yes. I had almost forgotten how wonderful true light was.

[And yet she is wearing sunglasses. Hm.]

Like you.

[founderinglight]

...I'm afraid I don't do casual hook-ups.

[You can fuck the sun but you can't fuck the stars.]

[newlawtolight]

[That...she laughs at that.]

Oh, I don't mean it like that! Forgive me for causing such an assumption. Besides.

[She turns away, almost coquettishly.]

I'm one who plays for keeps, anyways.

[founderinglight]

[Bat your eyelashes at him all you want, pretty thing, he's solidly not interested.]

I've long since outgrown gambling, I'm afraid.

[newlawtolight]

Not even if you knew what the stakes are? I'm not interested in romance, if that is what you're worried about.

[founderinglight]

Then, quite simply, there is nothing you could offer me that I would have any interest in.

[newlawtolight]

That is...unfortunate.

There is much in life I'm sure you have yet to experience.

[founderinglight]

[That, perhaps surprisingly, gets a laugh out of him -one with no small amount of irony in it.]

And I am more than old enough to know that to experience everything the world has to offer is impossible. What experiences I seek, I am comfortable finding for myself.

[newlawtolight]

Oh? How old are you?

[She can guess.]

[founderinglight]

[She can, very likely, guess wrong, considering that he looks all of mid-thirties.]

2040, 2050, somewhere in there. One tends to lose track even with the best eye on the calendar.

[newlawtolight]

I see. Not the oldest I've seen myself.

[She smiles.]

You certainly radiate experience.

[founderinglight]

And you radiate mixed signals.

[This is possibly a little irritating. Just possibly, because his politics face is still on.]

[newlawtolight]

Do I?

[She seems bemused at this.]

I am sorry about that. It's not much of a thing that can be helped, in my case.

[founderinglight]

[He sips his coffee, serenely, trying to find that place in his mind reserved for the most trying of diplomatic encounters.]

Whatever it is you are looking for, I'm afraid no amount of flattery will get you there.

[newlawtolight]

[Wryly.]

I don't need to flatter when it's the truth.

[founderinglight]

Only an idiot flatters with complete lies.

[newlawtolight]

Flaws make one no less lovely to behold.

[A raised eyebrow.]

Unusual, yes. A lie? Hardly.

[founderinglight]

Still not interested in whatever it is you're selling, worshipping, or scheming.

[newlawtolight]

I'm up to nothing, save pondering how you attained that...shape.

...

But. As you wish. Good night.

[So she begins to leave.]