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

[power_of_dominance]

[Soma laughs.]

I wish I was kidding. It's literally weapons-grade. I can tone it down, though, but then it'll be more of this.

[He gestures at the thousand suns pot.]

I was joking about the offer. One day I think somebody might take me up on it, thinking I'm serious, and I'll end up arrested for murder. Death by curry. It's why I don't summon it first.

[founderinglight]

I assure you, I'm hardier than I look. It's something of a family hobby to collect odd weapons, anyway.

[power_of_dominance]

Odd weapons, huh? Except this one might spoil after a while, unless the spice kills off bacteria, too. I might have other odd weapons you'd find entertaining, though.

[founderinglight]

I have a two-thousand-year-old raw trout fillet in my Armiger that hasn't gone bad yet, I'm not particularly concerned.

[It's the deadpan tone of someone who has said something completely nuts, is aware of it, and is absolutely not kidding.]

[power_of_dominance]

[And that gets Izunia the Raised Eyebrow.]

I'm almost afraid to ask why. Were you planning to slap someone with it? You're really supposed to use whole fish for that, holds up to the impact a lot better.

[founderinglight]

What? No, it's in case I come across a stray cat.

[FEED THE KITTIES.]

[power_of_dominance]

So you're a cat lover, huh? Anybody who loves animals can't be all bad, and they say that petting a dog or cat is good for relieving stress.

[He finishes dishing up a big serving of curry and rice and starts eating. At least he has the manners to not talk with his mouth full. Polite young man.]

[founderinglight]

Oh, yes. Though it's been quite some time since I had any kind of pet.

[He could use that stress relief, tbh.]

[power_of_dominance]

... well, it won't last, but if you want? I can fix that for a little bit once you finish your meal.

[Because this kid is a menagerie of weird powers and he has one that's perfect for this.]

[founderinglight]

Oh? I was just going to ask the androids to keep an eye out, perhaps, but...

[power_of_dominance]

This is temporary, trust me. I haven't figured out how to keep them around for too long. It was tough enough to adjust them to be tame rather than crazy feral attacking machines.

[Hell, he might as well show Izunia what he means. He links to Student Witch and, after a moment of concentration to adjust from the default "attack" mode, summons what looks like an ordinary black cat (gotta love that Lucian aesthetic) seemingly out of thin air. The feline winds around his ankles first, purring, before going to do the same to Izunia.]

[founderinglight]

- Oh!

[Why hello sweet thing! Izunia immediately dismisses his curry to his Armiger (gotta love that Lucian hammerspace) to bend down and pet the kitty.

KITTY.]

My, but you certainly are friendly, aren't you?

[power_of_dominance]

[Kitty is very friendly because Soma summoned him that way. The furbaby mews at Izunia before jumping up to his shoulder. Oops, now he has a black, furry, purring scarf.]

They're good for portable therapy. Or for scratching the hell out of enemies.

[founderinglight]

[He is DELIGHTED at this addition to his usual scarf. If it were possible for humans to purr, Soma would have a chorus here.]

They're wonderful.

[power_of_dominance]

Okay, you're making me even more determined to figure out how to keep them around permanently.

[Kitty starts trying to groom Izunia, starting with his stubble. Soma almost drops his plate from laughing.]

[founderinglight]

Well, you're making me even more determined to talk to someone about locating one, so I'd say we're even.

[Baby no that tickles - he's clearly trying not to laugh himself, one hand coming up to scratch kitty's ears.]