006 [Video]

[thechoiceisyours]

So uh... Hey everyone. Again.

[He could probably get a better opening line, but whatever. Moving on.]

I know like, a bunch of people just arrived so... Welcome, I guess. We're still working on the newbie's guide to waking up in a cave-city run by gods, but until then like, if you have any questions I can try and help? Also uh, it's probably safe at this point and we're just being paranoid, but you may want to avoid eating any meat products you find here. For reasons.

[MOVING ON.]

Also uh, sort of related, but I was thinking that maybe before next month we should really... Plan some way to help out? I mean, people just sort of show up and half the time there's monsters too, and... Maybe some sort of organized thing for helping the new people not get like, eaten or whatever would be a good idea.

[This is not exactly his area of expertise, so if other people want to take charge on this he's more than happy to let them, but otherwise he'll try and figure something out. It really seems like something important to get established.]

In uh, a rare moment of good news though, the whole coffee thing worked out. So if you want coffee there's some at Delight's bar now, though you'll have to like... Be kind of patient with me and the others being possibly terrible baristas. Still kind of getting the hang of the whole thing.

[But surely coffee itself is well worth any less-than-practiced customer service; they're at least pretty good at making coffee, including somewhat elaborate drinks, and as far as Chris is aware they're all trying. That's what counts, right?

Right?]

I think that's about it, except for that like... If anyone's curious, the handheld games from the arena this month are just normal games. I thought maybe they'd be some sort of weird alien-versions of them, but I guess not; I took one apart and it was all the expected stuff inside it.

That said I'm totally betting I can beat anyone's high scores.

Comments

[thechoiceisyours]

I don't think that's possible.

See you soon.

[It's a little ways from the bar to the spires so it takes some time to make the coffee and get there, but he shows up as soon as he can.]

[morphinum]

its ok Boy Scout i had 0 faith in you anyway

[ Johanna comes down once she sees Chris. She's finally found something to wear other than a hospital gown, even if that something is grey sweatpants and an oversized black hoodie. It's a work in progress. ]

Y'know, I'm really proud of you. You've found your true calling, delivery boy.

[ Will she ever learn his name? Nah. Johanna takes her coffee instead. ]

[thechoiceisyours]

[He grins at her, handing over the coffee, and hey at least she looks better than last time he saw her.]

Yeah, being able to walk like a normal person again's opened up a whole world of possibilities. Maybe I could like, even step up to delivering newspapers after the whole coffee thing, if I work hard and whatever.

[morphinum]

[ Johanna takes the coffee and takes a sip of it, eyebrows raised. ]

Wow, you're going for normal person? First of all, that's super difficult, and second of all, it's super lame.

[thechoiceisyours]

Well I'm super lame myself, so it all works out right?

[He brought a coffee of his own--which might be half sugar but whatever--and takes a sip himself.]

I'd ask if you've been like, staying out of trouble or whatever, but I think I can probably guess.

[morphinum]

That it does. Glad you're self-aware.

[ Johanna...doesn't hate talking to this kid. Weird. ]

You'd be surprised. I went around topless during the rave night, and got high as balls on the fireflies, but other than that, not much.

[thechoiceisyours]

[He has that effect on people.]

Wow, I'm uh, proud of you. I'd give you like, a gold start sticker or something if I had them; I can send you an emote?

[morphinum]

I mean, you could draw one on my face or some shit. I've got a lot of bare skin for that.

[thechoiceisyours]

I dunno, I'm not usually in the habit of drawing on people's faces unless they're drunk and passed out at a party.

[And even then, it has to be a close friend to be able to do so without his conscience stepping in.]

[morphinum]

[ Tsk, tsk. ]

That's like, novice drawing. Twelve year old shit, you know? I like to think I'm a little more refined.

[ Now that's a laugh. ]

[thechoiceisyours]

[Chris grins at that.]

Definitely. When I think elegance and maturity and decorum your name totally pops into my head first.

[morphinum]

Good.

[ Johanna is unusually quiet for a while, studying and sipping her coffee. ]

You know. You're not so bad, for a latte boy.

[thechoiceisyours]

Aw, that's the most neutral thing anyone's ever said to me.

[But his grin is more of a smile now; it really is a nice thing to hear from Johanna. He'd say something similar in return, but that feels like it might be too much for her and besides, he hasn't made it a secret he thinks she's a friend.]

[morphinum]

[ Good response, Chris. This is why you're tolerable. ]

Well, you know me. I like to be on the fence. Mild-mannered and all that shit.

[thechoiceisyours]

Totally. Wouldn't wanna rock the boat or upset anyone with like, radical opinions or harsh words.

[Johanna would never.]

[morphinum]

[ There's something almost rueful about Johanna's smile. ]

'Course not. That only leads to trouble.

[thechoiceisyours]

[He sees that undertone in her smile, but doesn't ask. He's pretty sure by now that Johanna's the type where if she wants to talk about something she won't hesitate to do so.]

Hey, I can attest to that the whole mild-mannered thing so doesn't avoid trouble. Maybe just evading it a little longer than some other people.

[But trouble's pretty universal, he's finding out.]