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

[byanyother_name]

[He'll 'find' Kurama on the higher level of the roof, sorry. If he'd known Akira had reappeared, he would have made himself easier to reach? Instead, right now, the redhead is standing at the edge of the roof looking up at the sky. His hands are tucked in his pockets despite the way the breeze is tossing his hair around.]

[beguiledcard]

[ Hmmm... he could simply call out to him, but where's the fun in that?

With that thought, he's going to get on with making his way up to the top level. It isn't as quick as what the boyfriends can do, but he does get up there. And he fully expects Kurama to know he's nearby even before he gets to the top.

So... there won't be any hesitation before he's moving around to Kurama's front, and he's hesitating even less to wrap his arms around him. ]

[byanyother_name]

[Akira's parkour bullshit is not exactly subtle, so yeah, Kurama definitely knows he's there. Thankfully, since that means he's moved away from the edge of the roof a little before Akira just waltzes up to it.

As soon as his boyfriend touches him, Kurama's arms are winding around Akira in return, holding on to him tightly. He closes his eyes and leans his head against Akira's, breathing in his scent.]

Welcome back.

[beguiledcard]

[ Okay, but... listen. He's only human? These things require effort, even with his Metaverse skills intact.

And his tone is almost teasing? Lighthearted? He's about to give the cheesiest line ever, after all... Though, that's definitely not to say he doesn't mean it. ]

It's good to be back in your arms. [ giving a soft smile, then moving to press a kiss to Kurama's lips ] Though... it feels like no time passed at all, for me.

[ Juuuust tugging Kurama's head down a bit so he can rest his forehead against his boyfriend's. He closes his eyes, his smile faint. He's already talked to Goro, so he has some idea of how Kurama's been since he vanished. ]

Still... I'm sorry worried you.

[byanyother_name]

[There's nothing 'only' about Akira, but fine.

And really, he's just happy to have him back, cheesy lines and all. Kurama hums into the kiss and kisses back, soft and sweet, his lips curving into a faint smile against Akira's.]

That's interesting. I wonder if it counts as support for the theory that time might not be passing back home.

[Kurama is very easily tugged. There is not much right now that he wants more than to simply be close to Akira. So when Akira's eyes close, his do, too, simply appreciating the touch and the warmth of Akira in his arms.]

This wasn't your fault, you have nothing to be sorry for.

[beguiledcard]

[ Both hands slide to rest against either side of Kurama's face. His eyes open to rest on his boyfriend's face, studying his features for a moment. ]

Considering how this place is, I wouldn't be surprised... [ with thumb now gently brushing against his skin: ] I'm glad you're both still here...

[ His gaze is averted just for a second. ]

By the way, Goro mentioned that you found something in the Fissure. What did you find?

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama's hands slide gently over Akira's back. His eyes open at the brush of his boyfriend's thumb, narrowing briefly as he catches that second of averted gaze.]

I think it's safe to say we all are glad of that...

[He gives a small, amused puff of air at the question.]

Ah... A collection of vials of thorns, some from plants I'm unfamiliar with. They're very intriguing.

[beguiledcard]

[ Shhh it's nothing... ]

Heh... fair enough.

[ Thorns? ]

Hmmm... I don't think this is what they meant by every rose having its thorns. [ smile! ] Fitting that you'd wind up finding that, though.

[ He's combing his fingers through the front part of Kurama's hair as he says the last part. ]

Any ideas on what to do with those, yet?

[byanyother_name]

[It's never nothing with Akira.]

One of the vials is rose thorns, actually. [And Akira gets a soft smile in return as Kurama leans slightly into the fingers in his hair.]

I'm planning to try growing the unfamiliar ones.

[beguiledcard]

[ listen........... ]

I look forward to seeing how they turn out. [ a nod ] I've actually been wanting to get back to making bouquets...

[ He smiles and brushes a kiss over Kurama's cheek. ]

And I think it'd be more fun doing that with flowers grown by you.