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]

[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]

[darkroastbean]

[YOU ARE A BUG NOT A CAT!!! it smells kinda like trail mix, a contrast of nutty and sweet]


. . .It's not gonna bite, honest. [gonna go fix himself a cup]

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

[Sipping and...ooh, that's nice]

[darkroastbean]

[BE SOOTHED!! sipping his own and.........trying to catch his expression out the corner of his eye;;;]

So? What do you think?

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

..........I'll probably be able to keep it down.

[Still seems to be drinking away]

[darkroastbean]

[...!!!! just a goofy ass smile]

That so? A semivictory then. Next time I'll make a brew that you'll want to keep drinking.

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

...

Melon.

[darkroastbean]

,,,eh? Excuse me?

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

You wanted to know what I was looking for in the fridge, didn't you? Or is your memory going on top of your hearing?

[darkroastbean]

Huh? No, I mean--why melon? Do you just like it? It's kind of a mellow fruit. . .do you like it with coffee??

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

I never said I like it.

[Still sipping away at his coffee so it seems like a success]

[darkroastbean]

Then. . .what did you want them for?

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

I was going to eat it, of course.

[An obnoxiously loud sip just to be...well...obnoxious]

[darkroastbean]

But you just implied you didn't like them! So why? And savor it, don't chug it. . .!

[morelikefakespeareamirite]

I dislike it less than I dislike other things.