[GAME THREAD] Pick And Mix Play By Post Adventure IC Thread

[Ignispark]

[STATIONARY_FRICTION]:
Bwellothorn stops for a moment to reply, before laughing at a joke they've yet to even make. "Sure. Just don't axe murder me. That'd be rude."

"Since you know where it is, I'll let you lead the way there I suppose."

(I'll be waiting for other player responses before proceeding with the scanner bit.)

[knux400]

[GENTLE_STAR]: Vembrace heads off in the direction it last saw the crate.

"It should be this way."

[STATIONARY_FRICTION] wrote:
"Sure. Just don't axe murder me. That'd be rude."

"Rest assured that I have no current intention of murdering you, and if I were to attempt it, I wouldn't use an axe."

...You're not sure if it's joking.

[skinstealer]

[TASTY_TREAT]:

Maxim strolls right into the scanner, posing a little. "Alright, rev it up!"

[Ignispark]

[STATIONARY_FRICTION]:
The doors close and it turns on. Other than a humming noise, an intense feeling of being watched and judged, and a minor flash of light, the scan is uneventful. It is over in about ten seconds. Twenty if you include the doors closing before it started and the doors opening at the end.

Scarcity immediately commentates as soon as it's over.
"Great work. It's not very often we get to scan non-biological life. Especially one this surprisingly low on most anomalous readings. Let me know about what you're interested in getting your claws on too. Though, if you don't have any particular ideas I can probably show you to a room of some prototypes or experimental resources that aren't needed anymore."

Scarcity gestures vaguely at Kara.
"And, the scanner doesn't really need any downtime, so once the first person's out and you're ready, feel free to head on in."

----
The crate is exactly where it used to be. After looking at the symbol Bwellothorn looks mildly concerned. Looking at the contents Bwellothorn is visibly shaking. It's stress level has risen from a 2/10 to a 7/10.

"...Oh. This. thank fuck it's dormant. Uh. Okay. ...So. I don't think this is immediately dangerous, but just in case, let's leave this shut until we can scan it. And also make sure it doesn't cut any people. Which, shutting the case should help. The faction that made this weapon is...not very nice. It is likely highly anomalous, possibly intelligent, and given that it hasn't said anything or leapt at me and tried to attack me, it's dormant. Would you mind helping me carry this case?"

[skinstealer]

[TASTY_TREAT]:

Maxim stretches as she steps out, thinking it over. "You got anything to do with food?"

[knux400]

[GENTLE_STAR]: Sensing Bwello's unease, Vembrace tries its best to reassure them.

"It did not appear to be active when I interacted with it previously, and it seems nothing has changed since then. I can lift the crate myself if you wish to keep your distance."

Individual plates of metal wrap around the lid, pushing it back on top of the crate, as the pointy end of one plate clicks the latch in place. Then Vembrace hovers atop the entire crate before settling down on top of it and engulfing it into its form, the armor plates assembling around the crate in a sort of makeshift cage. With a soft creak, the crate is gradually lifted from the earth and wobbles uneasily within Vembrace's armor.

It seems a bit unsteady as it moves back towards Bwello, but it's definitely carrying the crate.

"As a warning, I will not be able to move as quickly while I am carrying the crate. Should we encounter a hostile creature, I will require a moment to drop it and rearrange my form. As such, I am currently less capable of protecting you than I would be otherwise. Please take care in proceeding."

[Ignispark]

[STATIONARY_FRICTION]:
Scarcity immediately perks up and begins stopping without a single pause because it has no lungs and can simply talk and talk and talk. It completely zones out of everything that is not talking about cooking materials.

"Hell yeah! There's a tonne. If we don't have something you're interested in those sorts of things are pretty easy to put together anyway. I really like cooking. I don't know what anything actually tastes like, but Bwello at least liked some of my stuff. Like the espresso-tea. Or the peanut butter and spearmint spaghetti. Anyway, off the top of my head I can think of a mobile uranium-powered kitchen set that's probably the most useful. It's a little dangerous to use in unstable spaces or in the connection due to the experimental spatial tech used to keep it compact when not in use, but it's pretty fun. Never got to have a field test of it though. It's got an oven, a blender, a toaster, a toaster oven, a blender oven, and more appliances than anyone wants. Really. A lot.

Bwello thinks I should stop making kitchen appliances. I have made twenty-two variations on the blender. Twelve on the food processor. There is so much food related stuff. Also, uh. Actual, food and not equipment. We have various flora and fauna samples in addition to some standard nutrient powders and paste that are pretty much tasteless. There's also some water purification and plant stuff. Did you know that you can make a combination water purification-hydroponics garden-coffee maker machine. You can. It's a bit impractical, but you can.

Other than that...I can also talk about, more normal equipment. Or weird equipment, like the quantum spforknifewhisk. It can be a spoon, fork, knife, and/or whisk. It can be any combination of all that. Or just a stick. Uh. Oh yeah, if you are interested in fresh stuff or gardening I can explain more about the flora and fauna I've got around that's edible."

---
Bwellothorn looks at Vembrace. It calms down some, now seeming just mildly confused.

"Oh. That works too, I meant like, you could take one end, but. Yeah. Thanks? I'm legitimately impressed by that performance. Stable transportation by disparate coordinated units. Whatever made you must've been quite the star. I'll take, door opening and safety watch duty then I guess. If you can get it in then I can go grab a forklift or something like that and take it from there."

It proceeds to make sure the area ahead is clear. It is, in fact clear. There is no risk at all in attempting to return, and any attempt to do so will be successful and uneventful.

[knux400]

[GENTLE_STAR]: "I am sure my creator would be thankful for your kind words. Although I am reluctant to disclose any information about my design, your description is somewhat accurate. For future reference, this crate is very close to my maximum carrying capacity in terms of both size and weight." Vembrace replies. Its voice is the same mechanical monotone as ever, giving no indication of stress despite its wobbly movement indicating otherwise.

Vembrace allows Bwello to escort it back to the laboratory. It moves much slower now, with Bwello having to slow down to a leisurely walk to make sure it doesn't lose Vembrace. As soon as the two of them are inside, Vembrace places the crate down wherever Bwello directs it. It does attempt to put the crate down gently, but the weight and size of it are too awkward, and it ends up making two loud THUMPS as first one side, and then the other crashes to the ground.

It shifts back to its regular conical form afterwards, waiting for Bwello or someone else to speak.

[King-Clod]

[ASTRAL_ABERRATION]:
Kara steadies herself, running her fingers along the line of her cloak.  Her ears are buzzing, drowning out any of the conversation between Maxim and Scarcity.

"Could I request that uh..." she mutters, holding tight to the cloak's hood. She looks at the scanner with impending dread.

"Could everyone but Scarcity looks away? I...I'm getting a really bad feeling about this all of a sudden. I'd like any privacy I can get."

[Ignispark]

[STATIONARY_FRICTION]:
Bwellothorn fails to continue conversation as it immediately scrambles through some doors and comes back with a forklift, zooming the crate away to another room, then running back in the span of a few seconds.

Scarcity looks a little confused for a second, but then comes up with a great idea. "Okay. Alright. Okay I have the perfect plan. I have a nice little, automated teatime room set up. Uh...closer to the entrance the...oh that thud...hm and yeah. I think Bwello's back. They can probably guide you." Scarcity then shouts. "Uh, Bwello! Teatime protocol."

Bwellothorn is vaguely confused for a second, before responding with a shout. "Ah, yes. Okay, uh. All guests, please. Follow me!" They proceed to sort of, idle next to a different door, leaning against the wall and waiting for others to come over.

Cliche worldlessly goes along with this, as well. It's just kind of interested in seeing things happen right now. It's not really sure what's going on and they're not planning to ask. This, probably makes sense. Yeah. They're by Bwellothorn next to the door.

[knux400]

[GENTLE_STAR]: "UNDERSTOOD."

Vembrace immediately moves toward the door, hovering next to Cliche.

[King-Clod]

[ASTRAL_ABERRATION]:
Kara waits for the others to leave the room, her tail lashing behind her anxiously. She steadies it with her hand. It'll be fine.

She steps wordlessly into the scanner, pulling her hood further over her head so that her face was nearly covered. The buzzing in her earnubs only seemed to get worse. It'll be fine.

She stands up straighter, eyes focused on the light on the ceiling of the tube.

"Let's get this over with. Don't wanna keep them waiting."

[Ignispark]

[STATIONARY_FRICTION]:

The doors close and it turns on. I begins with a humming noise, an intense feeling of being watched and judged, and a minor flash of light. After about eight seconds, the hum stops and a staticy sound is emitted and the feeling of being watched becomes far more intense. After four more seconds, there is a bright flash of light. The humming returns and after twelve more seconds, the scan ends. Five more, and the doors are fully open.

Scarcity immediately commentates as soon as it's over. "...Well. Uh. You must have a lively, existence. How do you set off that many anomaly scanners. You looked pretty normal. You cursed or something? Shake hands with gods on the regular? Not really my business I suppose but, sheesh."

----
In the meantime Bwellothorn has opened up the door and shown the way to a fancy little tea room, alit with neon lighting and with a lot of intricate geometric metal patterns, featuring black, dark red, and pink. "...So uh, tea. You all have any preferences for tea?" More than likely, by the time they can grab any tea the scan will have already ended.

[King-Clod]

[ASTRAL_ABERRATION]:
Kara stumbles out clearly shaken, one hand on her forehead, and one to her side. She waits a moment before she speaks.

"...Less questions please, more answers. Tell me what you figured out from that scan. You think I'm cursed?"

[Ignispark]

[STATIONARY_FRICTION]:

"Literally, hard to say. There are probably some things I could gather from looking over the data more, make inferences and whatnot about potential gods involved or anomalies that have had similar readings, but...honestly, that won't really help you much in the question of 'are you cursed' because, with some of that stuff it's a matter of opinon. Anyhow, uh. That is one possible explanation but if you don't think you've been cursed then, you might not be. Could also be long-term exposure to the connection, artifacts, and other such criteria, close acquaintance with a deity, and combinations of the above. Figuratively, you could argue just about anyone's cursed...if you're willing to make the right argument."

[King-Clod]

[ASTRAL_ABERRATION]:
She looks away. Her tail flicks once. She lowers her hood.

"...I have spent a lot of time in the Connection. That'd probably be it. Unless my Lyre came from a god that was particularly pissed to lose it, that'd be all I can think of. I'm not... anything special, really."

She moves her hand to fiddle with her necklace, then pauses. She'd taken it off for the scan.

"May I have my amulet and sword back?" she asks, then looks to recall something. "And for getting the scan, we get something, right? I'd like a timekeeping device. Any will do. Multiple would be even better."

[knux400]

[GENTLE_STAR]:

[STATIONARY_FRICTION] wrote: "...So uh, tea. You all have any preferences for tea?"

"I'm physically unable to ingest tea."

Vembrace just hovers politely in the spot where a seat should be. It doesn't seem sure what to do here...

[skinstealer]

[TASTY_TREAT]:

"Do you have any good fruit teas? Aside from that...I am interested in any cooking y'all have to offer! Maybe even that you...your....rain-ee-ah cooking set?"

[Ignispark]

[STATIONARY_FRICTION]:
"Hmm...well yeah anyway scan of your stuff's done too. All also anomalous, by the way." Scarcity politely hands the stuff back over.

"Also, timepieces...quite a few really. Honestly could give you like a dozen...you sure you don't also want some other stuff too? Or like, a watch that's also a gun. We should...probably go check out the tea by the way. Though, after I show you the way, uh. I'll probably be grabbing the knight real quick to do their scan."

Scarcity does not actually check if Kara is ready to follow (partly so I can slam in Cliche's scan in one post) and trots on down the way to the tea room.
---
While they're on the way, Bwellothorn talks while looking through the teas.

"Yeah we have quite a lot...and the Uranium All in One Set was really fun to work on...also have a fun little kitchen knife that could use field testing...Would you be interested in getting a radio and a nice, experimental multipurpose knife to go along with too. And at some point phone back so we can talk about how it's working."

They take out six tins of fruit tea.

• 'Mango and Dragonfruit with Green Tea'
  
• 'Mint, Pumpkin Spice, and Cinnamon'
  
• 'Lime and Mint'
  
• 'Orange and Mango'
  
• 'Blueberry and Black Tea'.
  
• 'Mystery Fruit Punch with Green Tea'
  

"We've got a lot of others too, but here's some fun options."
---
Scarcity enters the tea room, waves at Cliche, and offers a hand. Cliche instinctively grabs it and is led to the scanner, being scanned and returning to the tea room shortly.

While they're doing that, Bwellothorn starts up the water kettle heating and takes out another tea, 'Cocoa, Mint, and Black Tea', which they put into a little miniature teapot.

There are currently four teapots on the table, and three kettles on the stove. This is a bit silly.

[King-Clod]

[ASTRAL_ABERRATION]:
Kara follows politely behind Scarcity as they lead the way to the tea room, putting her amulet back on as they walk. She holds the sword in her tail, commenting, "A nice belt or sheath would be nice too, if you have any. I've kinda just been holding this thing the whole time I've had it. It's a bit unwieldy when it isn't being, well, wielded."

Upon entering the tea room, she gazes over the chairs carefully, before choosing one next to Vembrace. "I'm guessing I didn't miss much. Seems like the tea's just getting served now?"