normal man returns

[darkroastbean]

Who: AlcheMe!
Where: Alch dorms
When: Day 454 Afternoon

[P is BACK from working at HELL STARBUCKS and bursting/stumbling thru the doors]


What the hell happened? I couldn't even call to check on anyone because my voicemail is full!! Where is I??

Comments

[darkroastbean]

[. . .? genuine surprise at that, but also relief]

I half expected you would have broken the coffee maker while I was gone. What are you looking for?

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

How cold! I'm not that petty. Afterall...the rest of the part uses that coffeepot too.

[More shifting of stuff in the fridge]

[darkroastbean]

[leaning, trying to see]

Wow, so considerate. But you didn't answer the question. . .

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

I am as considerate as I am kind.

[INCREASED IRRITATED FRIDGE DIGGING]

It's gone...

[darkroastbean]

What's gone? Now that I think about it, I've rarely even seen you eat. What were you keeping in there?

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

Something for later… there’s no choice. I’ll just have to get more.

What do you eat then? They did feed you, I’m assuming. While you were gone.

[darkroastbean]

You could just tell me what it is. . .!

I mostly survived off teas and biscottis. But I at least got more coffee ideas.

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

Weren't they concerned about you wasting away? Make me a coffee then, if you got so many ideas.

[darkroastbean]

It was barely a week, was I missed that much? [. . .moving to start brewing a pot though, weep]

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

I don't know, ask the rest of the party.

[Has a seat in a tactical position in the kitchen, where he can observe but not be perceived]

...there were games and lives, so things were quite busy.

[darkroastbean]

[buddy. will keep his back turned to him in that case, for now. getting some spices and chocolate out the cabinets.]

I heard it was just the drinking game and some cards. Dang, was that too much for you? That's a surprise.

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

Says the guy I have yet to see participate in a game.

[darkroastbean]

[nearly spills a spice bottle!!]

I-it's not my fault I've missed them! I'll definitely play in the next one, and win, too!

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

Hit a nerve, did I?

[darkroastbean]

[mutters, putting everything back in order as the water boils]

I just wanna be useful, that's all.

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

Useful to a bunch of people you’ve barely just met or to a play that essentially kidnapped you?

[darkroastbean]

Not the play! It's hell after all, I'd very much like to leave as soon as possible, y'know?

But. . .I like you guys, you're all--mostly chill. And having a team is important, I think.

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

What’s important about a team?

[darkroastbean]

[scratches at his chin and then goes to wash his hands]

I. . .dunno. But ever since I woke up here, it's been like, something in the back of my head? Like it's comforting to have a place to belong and a role to play. Don't know why yet.

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

…

Then have you considered your use is potentially outside of game participation? Different roles are useful in different ways, aren’t they? Just because you missed games doesn’t mean you were useless.

That is… Any one of us can play in games, so use your brain and figure out what only you can do.

[darkroastbean]

[IS....IS THIS ENCOURAGEMENT;;;

s-sighs and takes the pot off, pouring the coffee and adding the spices]

Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence. Not being called useless by someone like you is surprisingly sincere.

But I don't know what I can do yet. . .aside from making you coffee.

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

Don't say things like "sincere" in my presence unless you want me to puke in your coffeepot.

[darkroastbean]

Don't do anything in the coffeepot, it took forever to clean the gunk out of it last time. [bringing him over a MUG. just a light roast with milk, honey, tumeric dark cocoa, and some fruity flavors!!]

Here, try this. It's got some contrasting flavors, but they mix real well.

1/2

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

[dontspikethemugintothefloordontspikethemugintothefloordontspikethemugintothefloordontspikethemugintothefloordontspikethemugintothefloordontspikethemugintothefloor-]

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

[...taking the mug and sniffing the coffee]