annexedlogs | Relief Log #1

I. In The Aftermath

After the mission is complete, the new recruits are invited back to Central Command for a patch-up and celebration to let loose and socialize a little bit.

The first order of business is the patching up. Anyone who was injured is welcome to go to the Hospital, if the injuries are more serious. Everyone else, those with smaller injuries like scrapes and bruises, minor cuts or burns or abrasions, are welcome to come to the Infirmary in Central Command. There will also be attendants that tell returning new recruits that if they'd like to learn a little first aid and tend to their comrades, they can also head to the Infirmary.

In the Infirmary, anyone who's not injured but shows up will be instructed in basic first aid so they can tend to their teammates and friends. Nurses will be rotating around to check in on people and make sure nothing is more serious than it looks, but generally, the new recruits will be encouraged to tend to their teammates in order to encourage group bonding.

II. Pool Party

The celebration itself, which happens after the the initial patching-up exercise, will be happening in three large conference rooms adjacent to the swimming pool. In one of the conference rooms, a large buffet will be set up, catered by food trucks and restaurants in the area, with a variety of food. Some of it will be familiar to characters in the game, with a wide array of food from Earth and any other planet or locale that the new recruits might be from. Some of it will be unfamiliar, local cuisines that are heavy on mushrooms, insects, and root vegetables - stews and flatbreads full of fillings and a lot of varieties of meat on a stick. There's also an extensive dessert bar with cakes, cookies, tarts, donuts, bars, and a soft-serve ice cream machine with a lot of different mix-ins and toppings.

The main focus of the party is on the pool, where characters are encouraged to put on a swimsuit and lounge in the pool on a bunch of assorted pool floats, swim laps, or play in the small children's pool where there are fountains. The pool also sports a small waterslide with three intertwining slides that range from extreme speed to slow speed. Through speakers in the area, music is playing that's suitable for dancing or just listening to while characters enjoy the pool.

III. For The Extroverts

In another of the conference rooms, an extrovert's dream is set up. The door is kept closed because the music inside is loud, and the atmosphere is that of a club. There's a small bar area where a bartender serves drinks. While most of the drinks are regular alcoholic beverages that are both familiar and unfamiliar, there is a selection of drinks catered by Robin's, which is known for their specialty cocktails which have a variety of effects - specifically, euphoria, relaxation, and energy - available in a variety of flavors. Servers move through the room with trays of snacks ranging from nuts and olives to bowls of chips and popcorn, free for the taking by anyone feeling peckish.

There is a nice dance floor set up and the lights are low except for fluorescents and spotlights that bathe the room in bright color, and the DJ is playing a mix of techno, rave music, and danceable oldies remixes. Along the back wall there are several booths set up for karaoke, where groups of characters can go and sing their hearts out and/or laugh at their friends who are singing their hearts out.

Did that mission leave you wanting to get wasted and dance the night away? Then this is the party for you.

IV. For The Introverts

Not everyone is cut out for a rave, though, especially not after a tiring and draining mission, and the rebels have prepared for that too.

In the other conference room, just on the other side of the buffet room, there is a party set up for the more sort of person who finds solace in quiet and peace. In the corner of the room there's a lovely tea and coffee bar set up, with an espresso and latte machine, coffee, and a truly expansive variety of teas - white, green, black, rooiboos, herbal, and some local varieties that are made specifically to relieve tension and relax the mind. These local varieties can produce a state of utter relaxation and mental calm that is beyond what normal tea could provide, perfect to drink before going to sleep for the night, or right before a calming nap.

Speaking of naps, for those who don't want to be alone but would like a bit of shut-eye, there are soft bean bag loungers where people can retire to for naps. The music playing in the room is quiet and soothing, lyrical ballads or instrumental easy listening, easy to nap through and no barrier to quiet conversation over a cup of tea. The library has also provided a large shelf of readable popular novels, non-fiction, and other books that might interest the new arrivals - there are novels of most genres that are unique to the Broken World, and research materials for anyone looking to exercise the mind or learn a little about the culture of their new world.

Besides that, there are also a cluster of small tables where games are set up. There are board games, decks of cards with printed sheets of common game rules from the Broken World, and a type of chess-like game that is played frequently on the Broken World, complete with instructions.

NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Link's tried a lot of things, but he hasn't tried tea. Unlike Rokuro, there's absolutely no ceremony to how Link tastes any of it; he just grabs whatever cup is available and starts drinking. Some of them he's not sure sure about, but others he likes.

Apparently Rokuro's found one he really doesn't like, though.

"It was bad?" Link says.

"Bad is an understatement." Rokuro's brow twitches, singular eye watering. The taste was terrible, but the way his heart is hammering after the smallest of sips is even worse. He has never indulged in this level of caffeine, and doesn't entirely understand caffeine as a concept.

"I- I am concerned it was poisoned." He wipes his mouth on the back of his sleeve, coughing once, already feeling seemingly ill. Whether it's a reaction to the caffeine or simple histrionics, Rokuro will never touch this foul black liquid ever again.

"My heart hurts-- as does my stomach."

Oddly enough, this concern about poisoning doesn't seem to be scaring Link off. Instead he's actually getting closer to the coffee, picture up a cup and looking at it with curiosity.

Is he thinking of drinking it? Yes. Yes he is.

"Maybe they used the wrong ingredients," he wonders, and thinking of some of his own early failed experiments in cooking.

"Thankfully, I have a resistance to most poisons... while I may become sick, it will not kill me--" Rokuro blinks back the wetness in his one eye, as if the fact the 'tea' may simply be off hadn't crossed his mind. This is what happens when you've endured too many assassination 'attempts in a short period of time.

Still, nothing good can come of this bitter sludge.

"Link. Do not."

At this point, the rational, sensible course of action would be to follow Rokuro's instructions. To just decide not to try to mysterious drink, and to not risk potentially poisoning himself. There was no real benefit or reason to drink it.

Except for the fact that Link was curious as hell, and maybe just a little bit too reckless for his own good.

Quickly, before Rokuro can try and stop him, Link picks up the cup and downs it.

Unlike Rokuro, he manages to swallow. Though he does cough hoarsely afterwards, blinking. He had been bracing himself for something strong, but he didn't realise it was going to be so bitter.

It all happens so fast. Rokuro sees/feels Link move towards the cup, and before he can reach out to stop him the ~~goblin~~ man has thrown back the entire contents in a single gulp.

Witnessing Link's reaction, which was similar (but far less self-preserving) than his own, all he can do is roll his singular eye with a sigh, still dabbing daintily at the corners of his own mouth with a napkin.

"If you do die of poisoning, you will have come by your fate honestly." Rokuro wouldn't actually let Link die, he does have the power to stop the bloodflow in Link's body and limit the spread, but a little discomfort? Rokuro isn't about to call upon the power of a god for such a pittance. Perhaps the blonde would learn his lesson and stop sticking mysterious objects/liquids/animals directly into his maw.

"How do you feel? Are your ancestors beckoning you to their sides, or are they simply calling you a little fool?"

Edited 2022-09-06 22:41 (UTC)

Link hums, considering. "I've had worse." Cooked worse even, back in those early days when missing memories and a lack of access to all the ingredients he needed meant that more than a few of the things Link tried to cook didn't turn out so well.

He looks down at the cup again, considering. It was bitter, yes, but...maybe that was the point? Like Noble Pursuits. Maybe you had to train yourself, to get used to it.

Link took another sip, just to see if he liked it any more this time.

"Don't keep DRINKING it!!!" Rokuro almost slaps it out of his hand. All that stops him is the fact they are indoors, and a liquid that dark would most certainly stain the flooring.

"You already know you don't like it! Why do you feel the need to torture yourself so?"

"I wanted to know if it got better," Link says. And then takes another sip.

Is it getting better? Link's not sure yet. He's getting used to it at little, at least.

"Well?" Arching a brow. If Link is determined to suffer for science, then the least he can do is share what he has learned. Rokuro has no intentions of trying 'coffee' again, but it would be useful to know if the drink is poisoned, or simply tastes that awful in its natural state.

He takes another sip. It is growing on him, actually. And, the more he drinks, the more he feels...energised. Like he'd just downed several Energising Elixirs.

"I think I like it," he says, as he starts bouncing gently on his feet, up-and-down and up-and-down...

He eyes Link warily. Of everyone who doesn't need more energy, the Hylian is likely near the top of the list. Rokuro has never seen the Link at rest, never mind sleep, as if he exists in a permanent state of hypervigilance. Ready to fight, flee, or break pottery at all times.

Rokuro reaches out to take the cup back out of his hands. If Link holds on they may end up in a small tug-of-war in front of the coffee station. RIP the poor normal people who just want a simple drink.

"I think you may like it too much."

Link's eyes widen, just a fraction - and before Rokuro can grab the cup Link's hand pulls away - that hypervigilance and sharp, quick reflexes in action.

It's Link's drink. Rokuro can't have it!

And to make sure Rokuro can't have it, Link downs the rest of it - all in one go.

Rokuro sighs an extremely long-suffering sigh. Why is Link like this? On some level, the sheer manic spontaneity of the Hylian is admirable, if Link wants something he simply goes for it, but on the other side-- as his comrade, or maybe even his friend, Link is going to give him a heart-attack one day.

"I have met animals who are better behaved and more obedient than you."

Link just looks at Rokuro, eyes wide as he starts bobbing up and down on his feet again. He's feels so energetic! Now he just wants to...get out and move, to do things.

"I'm going to dance!" he declares, before immediately running off at full speed towards the dance floor.

Thankfully, that is a problem for the people on the dancefloor, not for Rokuro. He does not dance in such a lewd, public fashion. Honestly, it makes his face burn just to watch.

Enjoy, Link. He is going to stay with the wall-flowers and not drink more coffee.

Relief Log #1

IV

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FIN