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

[shiritai]

[ And yet, even in a tshirt, he accomplishes it... that's almost impressive. ]

Are you one of the people responsible for providing the food here?

[founderinglight]

As much as anyone is, I suppose. I can cook fairly well, which is more than I can say for a few of our number.

The curry isn't my work, if that's what you're asking.

[shiritai]

[ Hm, that doesn't look like that was the answer Violet wanted. She purses her lips a bit, but then; ]

Does the food appear to be safe?

[founderinglight]

...Why wouldn't it be?

[Funny look. He's suspicious but not that suspicious.]

I wouldn't recommend the spiciest curry for a beginner, but there's nothing wrong with it.

[shiritai]

We've been taken from our homes and brought to a strange place by a group of strange people, whose intentions and motives remain mostly unknown to us.

[ "we've been kidnapped, gramps" ]

Additionally, the food being prepared may not be something safe for us to consume if we truly do come from different worlds.

[founderinglight]

[What a suspicious young lady. He smiles and waves slightly with his spoon.]

While some caution is understandable, I'm willing to take our hosts at their word as for this entire experience being an extremely potent accident. I cannot speak to your circumstances, but mine are such that no one would seek me out for ransom or much of any other purpose.

And the human diet does seem to be at least reasonably constant across realities, and those who aren't human haven't had much of a problem so far.

[shiritai]

[ she just wants to live!!

But, apparently mollified, she gives a little nod. ]

Then, there should be no harm in serving myself some of this food.

[ She walks over and very carefully dishes herself out some rice before moving over to the pots of curry and squinting at them. Not quite as suspiciously as before, so we're making progress. ]

Which of these would you say is the most palatable?

[founderinglight]

It depends on your tastes, but if you're not sure, it's probably best to stick with the mild.

[There will be no terrible mouth burns for young girls on his watch!]

[shiritai]

[ And to the mild she goes! She only spoons a blob of it onto her plate, just enough to mix with some of the rice and give it a quick taste.

...

Have you ever seen a stone faced teenage girl shoujo sparkle over curry, your highness. ]

[founderinglight]

[Once or twice, but it is always a delight. Especially when she's spent most of the conversation so expressionless.]

From your face, I take it it meets with your approval.

[shiritai]

[ She nods, polite enough not to talk until she's swallowed her mouthful, then; ]

Yes. The spice is mild and doesn't overpower the rest of the flavours, and the rice cancels out any unpleasant kick from the spice while providing a rich bed for the flavours to spread.

[founderinglight]

[He smiles.]

Indeed. Not half-bad, considering that our hosts don't have any need to eat.