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

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He reaches out to gently touch the Pegasus’s snout, gently whispering to her to appear friendly. Still focusing on her, he raises his voice to adddress Wren.]

She’s lovely. How long have you had her?

[thoroff]

[Despite his efforts, Catria bristles a little at Astolfo's touch, but she settles down after a moment.]

Nearly three years. It... happened on a whim, really, but I wouldn't give her up for anything now.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Gentle whispers of "there, there" can be heard as he tries to calm her down a little.]

A whim, huh? You two go through a lot together?

[thoroff]

[She doesn't resist, but remains a little on edge. Sorry, Astolfo, you're not doing anything wrong, that's just how pegasi are.]

We've fought wars together.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He lays off from the petting once he realises this is about as comfortable as she's going to get.

With Wren's response, his smile softens.]

There are few other things that can strengthen the bond between a person and animal like that.

[thoroff]

Indeed. [She quirks her head, still smiling.] You speak from experience of your own, I take it?

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He gives a nod.]

My Hippogriff and I went through a great many things together.

[thoroff]

[A hippogriff? Those don't exist in her world. Griffons do, but... Well, whatever. With other worlds explicitly in the picture, she can keep an open mind.]

I hope you can be reunited soon, then.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Me too! It feels wrong not to have it...

[He looks back over to the Pegasus.]

I'm sure you'd understand the feeling.

[thoroff]

Absolutely. I'd be lost without Catria.

[And not just because how would a Dark Flier fight on foot...]

[riderofcharlemagne]

Best that you two don't stray apart, then.

[A rider fighting on foot is just a sad sight.]

[thoroff]

That won't be happening if I can help it!

[Which... might be kind of up in the air, but.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

That's the spirit!

[He gives Wren an encouraging pat on the shoulder.]

Are these creatures commonplace back home?

[thoroff]

Certainly not compared to the common horse. Wild pegasus populations tend to be fairly isolated, and nor are they as widely used as mounts. They're very particular about who they'll allow to ride them, you see.

[riderofcharlemagne]

That's more common than I'm used to.

[Though he'd ridden many beasts of legend, the Pegasus was not one of them.]

Must have been some stroke of luck that she chose you, right?

[thoroff]

I consider myself incredibly fortunate, yes.