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

"Oh, no," Layla says. "One of us has to run the camera, and I call dibs. Besides, you make a perfectly credible hero. The nice, normal man who gets dragged into something completely above his paygrade, and manages to come through it with bravery and wit."

She gives his arm a little squeeze. "You don't give yourself nearly enough credit."

"I figured we'd take turns with the camera!" Steven protests, but in good spirits. So what if he breezes past her compliment, and blushes a bit when she makes it? It's fine. "It can be terrible, neither of us will be in the frame at the same time, to make it really obvious."

She notices that conversational sidestep, and is quiet for a moment while she debates calling him on it. Ultimately, she decides that the tail end of a party, when he's clearly exhausted, is not the best venue. There will be plenty of time to chip away at that self-deprecation.

"I suppose that's all right," she allows. "We can use some perfectly ridiculous cutaways. Highlight the beanbags lurking outside the window when we swap. Teleport them around a bit, just wherever we need them to be."

He's going to be so grateful you aren't pushing, Layla, when he realizes you could have.

"Absolutely no continuity at all for where they were in the last shot," he agrees wholeheartedly. "Nevermind how they move about. This is going to be a masterpiece of awful movies. Marc is going to groan at us when he hears."

Layla laughs at that, a short, bright sound, quickly stifled. "Should we draw straws on who gets to tell him? Because the look on his face is going to be priceless."

Steven suddenly gives a quick, sly grin. "How long do you think we could keep it a secret, if we really did give this a try? Think we could manage to make the whole thing and then just show it to him?" It wouldn't be a long film, he doubts they'd make anything longer than fifteen minutes, at best. But the idea tickles him a little, at having this little secret, something to surprise Marc with and make him laugh.

She considers this for a moment, then gives him an answering grin. "I think so. We really could shoot over a couple of days, when there's a lull. We can stash the equipment at my place so he doesn't trip over it just going to get a fresh shirt."

Steven actually giggles a bit. "Yes, right, good idea. He'd definitely wonder why there's a camera and a bean bag chair in the closet. Might take a little longer than that, since Marc doesn't really go away all that much, but that's all right. We'll figure something out." He pats her hand.

"Of course we will. We're a resourceful pair."

She tips her head against his shoulder again, and leaves it there this time.

"That's why we make such a good team."

"Oh. Do we?" He perks up a little, though he's running out of energy to keep up too much perking. It's a kind of wilted perk. "I like that. Being a good team. Especially with you." He pats her hand again, and tries to rest his head on hers. Which doesn't so well when they're walking, but it's the thought that counts.

It's not a very practical attempt. She still finds it charming.

(There is, in truth, quite a bit about Steven that she finds charming, idiosyncratic and awkward as he can be.)

"Yeah," she says, and gives his arm a gentle squeeze. "We do."

She falls into companionable silence for a little while, until - under the narration's assumption that she's been to their apartment at least once by now - the compound's halls become familiar once more.

"This is you just down here, isn't it?"

She has absolutely been to their apartment. Probably more than once. Marc likely regularly invites her over for dinner or lunch or just to sit and compare notes over what they've picked up over the past few weeks.

Steven looks up. "Oh, yep, that's my apartment all right," he says, and reluctantly disengages so he can pat around for his keys. Layla gets a warm, if sleepy, smile once he finds them. "Guess I'm gonna have to bid you goodnight, then."

"Afraid so," she says. "I'll see you tomorrow."

On impulse, she rises up on the balls of her feet to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Sweet dreams, Steven."

He ducks his head, looking startled and embarrassed but also shyly pleased. "You too. Don't let the. The space-bedbugs bite." Oh god that sounded so dumb.

The corners of her eyes crinkle slightly with amusement.

"And on that slightly terrifying note," she says, and vanishes off down the hall towards her own - relatively nearby, in the grand scheme of things - lodgings.

Relief Log #1

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