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

[foolishjustice]

[He'll find Goro out on the observation deck, looking down at the beach. He turns when he hears footsteps, and a look of relief immediately crosses his face.]

Akira!

[Uh...don't mind if the hug he gives you is a little tight, Akira. At least it's not painfully so, this time?]

I was worried when we couldn't find you after we stabilized the beach.

[beguiledcard]

[ He blinks, but immediately gives a small smile as those arms wrap around him. He doesn't hesitate to return that hug, either... ]

Yeah... about that...

[ It's said as his face lightly presses into his boyfriend's neck for a moment, eyes closed. And he doesn't pull away even as he asks the question. ]

How long have I been gone, exactly...?

[foolishjustice]

We completed our mission two days ago. I assume you disappeared before the last day, since you weren't there when we fought the giant seagull.

[Yes, he did just say that with a straight face.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He's moving to look at Goro with lifted eyebrows for maybe a fraction of a second ]

...I wonder if it says something that I'm not even having trouble imagining one of those.

[ Then, he leaning to brush a kiss over Goro's lips before giving a soft and apologetic look. ]

Sorry I wasn't there. [ more importantly, though: ] Did... everything go okay?

[foolishjustice]

[Oooh, kiss accepted.]

You're probably having an easier time imagining it than we had seeing it. It had a distortion effect.

[He's just going to reach up to toy with Akira's hair a bit...]

One person was injured when it fell, but I don't think there was any permanent damage.

[beguiledcard]

[ ... Huh. ]

So, something you might expect more in the Metaverse, I'm guessing...

[ Ah... he's giving a look of concern. ]

Good thing we have healers around here, at least...

[ He's briefly turning his head juuuust enough to kiss Goro's wrist. ]

How's Kurama?

[ He's assuming, since Goro hasn't said anything to to indicate otherwise, he's still here. ]

[foolishjustice]

I'm not overly surprised, after the landsharks. Unfortuantely, the person who was injured is immune to supernatural healing, so he's still recovering.

Kurama's been worried about you, as well. I think he's been distracting himself with something he found in the Fissure...

[beguiledcard]

... I see.

[ Looking down... ]

I'll go look for him in a moment.

[ He's moving to press a kiss to Goro's forehead now. His expression softens afterwards. ]

Any chance I can bother you for a cup of coffee?

[foolishjustice]

Of course.

[He steps back, just enough to hold up a cup.]

I have something else for you, too.

[beguiledcard]

[ He smiles as he takes it, gently planting a kiss on Goro's cheek before he takes a sip of the coffee. He holds a blink as he does. ]

Hm?

[ There's a blink, his head canting to the side. ]

What's that?

[foolishjustice]

[He reaches into one of his jacket pockets and produces a tupperware bowl filled with curry and rice.]

The androids had curry waiting for us when we got back from the beach, so I saved you some of the spiciest batch.

[beguiledcard]

[ Oh... He's giving an appreciative smile. ]

Thank you. [ taking the bowl, then glancing over to a sitting area (he's actually pretty hungry) ] Mind if we sit now, so I can try it?

[foolishjustice]

It's alright with me.

[And now, a teasing glimmer in his eye.]

I also saved you a salad I found in the Fissure. It's even still fresh.

[beguiledcard]

[ He's moving over to sit, and then blinking at the mention of the salad. The smile he gives is accompanied by a soft, faintly awkward laugh. ]

Oh, you shouldn't have... [ a faintly defeated smile now ] Are you implying something, honey?