EVENT 01: Welcome to the Pentagon!

[unrequite]

WELCOME TO THE PENTAGON!

Picture a Las Vegas sized hotel, but with no casino. It's just very big. And there is no gift shop.

The Pentagon welcomes you...

You wake up from a doze seated in a firm lobby chair. Walked through a set of automatic sliding doors, bag in tow. Where did you get that bag? Listen, don't worry about it.

- All guests to the Pentagon arrived with a medium-sized standard rolling bag. It is filled with any items they would have brought with them if they had time to pack a standard rolling bag before they left. Weapons are okay!
- All guests may bring one living animal. The animal will retain any powers it may have as long as it is not worldbreaking.
- All guests will have their powers. They will not be allowed to use it to break the world. They may break other things, but they will be pulled aside by one of the receptionists for a Talking To. They may be barred from the hotel for the night and it gets cold outside the Pentagon!
- Guests are not limited to standard entry to the hotel. However, if they break hotel property upon entry, they will be expected to pay for repairs. Method of payment will come as soon as I'm not fuckballs tired.

Things to do:

- Check in! There is a handy dandy receptionist at the front desk ready to take your name and your reservation. Yes, you have a reservation! It's here, in this shared suite. You don't remember making that reservation? What a pity. Well, while we get you resituated in the system, I suppose you will have to make peace with your roommate. Please don't fuck up your relationship with your roommate, that would be so terribly awkward. If you would like to trade rooms, that is fine, but please notify the front desk with all involved parties with the details of the room change! Also, please allow one day for admin to catch up with bookings before you trade rooms! Try to be nice to your one night roomie okay okay

- Get breakfast! A free continental breakfast is served from 6 am to 10 am. Please come by for fresh food!

- Chill in the lobby! When it isn't doubling as the breakfast area, the lobby area functions as both a waiting room, a meeting place, and a chill seating area in case you don't want to eat your gas station hotdog at the gas station like a neanderthal. wow.

- Find your room!

Each suite has a:
- kitchenette (one pot, one pan, plastic silverware, paper plates and bowls. no food. that's at the gas station across the street.)
- microwave
- fridge (with drinks! you will have to pay for them if you take them. it's going to be Esspensive.)
- two beds (small, but very comfy)
- bathroom with bath and shower (with standard toiletries. if you need more, you can call the front desk! there are towels, but if you make a real mess, call the front desk for fresh ones.)
- toilet (no bidet)
- closet (3 hangers, one extra set of sheets, one extra comforter, two extra pillows, a small ironing board, an iron)
- shared side table (two drawer compartments, one for each bed; there are outlets for electronics)
- wardrobe (just one, but it's big! please share.)
- desk with rolling chair (just one! again, please share. also: a notepad with a cheap ballpoint pen, a phone, and a phone directory for standard hotel amenities)
- pullout bed couch (for more guests! this bed is far less comfy than the standard beds.)
- television (with standard cable and standard trash programming. nothing particular stands out about the programming.)

- book shop? ... There is a bookshop where the gift shop should be. Where did it come from? Perhaps it's always been there, in the same way the faceless staff of the Pentagon have always been there. There is currently caution tape over the front entrance. Although the entrance isn't locked, it is not advised to enter the bookshop early. Who knows what might happen (the people who were in the City knows what will happen no don't touch that—)

- gas station? across the street? The street stretches into the horizon. This place is flat. so very flat. but there's a gas station.

- fresh produce (limited, but good variety. may be slightly wilted.)
- standard basic groceries (including pet food for your Living Creatures)
- liquor section (we in the south now boyzzz)
- lotto ticket machine (?)
- chargers/small electronics
- wall o candy
- basic amenities and toiletries(fancier than hotel amenities but not by much)
- magazines!
- slushy machine
- coffee machine
- rolling hotdogs
- hot fast food
- car maintenance products. you know. for your car
- gas station guy. nice guy

How do you pay? the gas station guy will charge it to your room! Who's paying for your room? Erm. Tehe. pero

You can also go to the gas station guy and buy a bus ticket to Sin City for a vacay. Sin City is great! Lots to do in Sin City. Buses to Sin City leave every Wednesday evening — don't be late! However, after a month at maximum, you will be back in your room in the Pentagon. Guess the hotel likes you!

Other hotel amenities. This hotel isn't 5 star, but it isn't 3 star either! Standard fancy hotel amenities, such as a small gym, a pool and sauna, a well maintained laundry room, a small spa, and a business center with computers and print station also exist. The only amenity that does not exist is the standard fancy hotel restaurant. Make your food yourselves!!

welcome nerds. enjoy your stay!

OOC:
- I will make a receptionist thread. please feel free to add your character to the queue for a randomly selected room! if you would like to also have a conversation with one of our three randomly selected receptionists, please say so in your comment. thank. EDIT: room assignments are here! please add any new characters to any random rooms you like. if you change rooms, please be sure to update the spreadsheet. thank yoooou
- i'll make up how to make money and pay for stuff later. for now please don't starve just buy stuff it's Fine
- electricity works. there's local internet but search engines bring up very little about the area. gps does NOT work (for now)
- uh that's it i'm tired please tell me if i missed anything

Comments

yesod

[wordchain]

AROUND

[ A hotel and gas station/street exploration prompt. Yesod will be checking to make sure that the breakfast options are safe so that Netzach and Midnight can eat them without concerns before he investigates the supplies available through the gas station, planning to consult Kaveh for his thoughts. Being able to prepare their own food is best, despite the kitchenette limitations, and he would still like to cook for his partners. They have also all missed Kaveh's cooking... Yesod's feral horsegirl daughter should have proper nutrition, too.

Other than that, Yesod will examine the bookstore from the outside, and take a look around the hotel and its various amenities (the laundry room is pleasing to see). He's curious about the other people here as well, guests and staff. Friendly gas station guy... ]

ROOM 106

[ A prompt for visits to Taishin and Yesod's assigned room. Tagliatelle will be there, vibing and doing his snake thing in his enclosure. Depending on the time, Yesod might be in the middle of yoga, if he isn't using the gym for that, or tidying the room, or he's displeased by the kitchenette containing little to work with. ]

TEXTING

[ For any and all texting conversations with Yesod, anytime. ]

OTHER

[ Anything else! Yesod will want to see his huswives and friends as much as possible. They will make it happen even with mysterious hotel constraints. ]

room prompt!

[unrequite]

[ For all that Taishin is a bit of an introvert, she is a runner and quite literally a track star, so Midnight has grown accustomed to seeing her bed unoccupied after dinnertime. He's already grown fond of her sullen grouchiness, but for this conversation, he feels like he needs an hour or two of quiet alonetime with Yesod.

He comes to the with some groceries, items that Yesod's cleared at the gas station. Having already texted that he'd be over for a late dinner a few days ago, he knocks with full confidence that Yesod was awaiting his arrival. ]

[wordchain]

[ The door opens immediately; as expected, Yesod has been waiting for Midnight. Though he stops by Midnight's and Netzach's assigned rooms each day himself, much like their own visits — particularly to make sure that they can eat meals together and retreat to a quieter space to rest and be in each other's company even here — and they can reach one another easily enough, whether in person or via text or call, this is different. Yesod appreciates his young roommate's reliable routine (and perhaps she and Nill are friends?), affording him and Midnight some privacy for tonight's conversation.

He greets Midnight with a kiss, hands outstretched to take Midnight's and lead him into the room, over to take a seat on his bed. With the door closed, the groceries set down, they can talk. ]

Would you prefer to stay here for a while or start on our dinner preparations together?

[unrequite]

[ Midnight laughs softly into the kiss, holding Yesod close a brief moment before following him in. Hello, danna-san. ]

Let's start dinner. I shouldn't like to be in the midst of eating by the time Miss Taishin returns. She's already quite patient with sharing her room with us.

[ A bit playfully worded: she hasn't even remotely implied that the room is hers, but Midnight is happy to be around another princess to carefully spoil. He goes to wash his hands at the sink, tying up his hair before he does. ]

What are we making tonight, darling?

[wordchain]

[ Yesod maintains the contact a moment longer himself, squeezing Midnight's hands lightly in a promise to resume it shortly, before they move apart to wash their hands. Fastening his apron around his waist, he turns to the groceries. ]

We can use these ingredients to make a noodle stir fry.

[ That won't be too heavy for the hour, and they will have enough for Netzach and Taishin as well.

Yesod begins to wash the vegetables to prepare, but he glances back up, over at Midnight. ]

It's unlikely that we will be interrupted here, but you know that I would also join you and Netzach elsewhere whenever you like.

[unrequite]

[ A pleasant, satisfied hum. A noodle stirfry can look and taste like a lot of things, but Midnight does like Yesod's take on it: light, lean, filling. He puts on his own apron and begins to look for the singular pot and singular pan... He wishes that they'd brought more of their kitchenware here from their place in Sin City, but that's a trip they can save for when they're not busy settling in.

Speaking of settling in... ]

I think Operator Logos would be happy to see you both as well. However... I confess to having some ulterior motives to wanting dinner with just us tonight.

[ A hum. ]

I haven't seen Kaveh yet.

[wordchain]

[ Admittedly, Yesod is contemplating a trip back to Sin City as soon as possible to ensure that they will have more at their disposal even without their own kitchen. He places importance on being able to take care of his husbands, and he rather enjoys cooking for them as part of that — he won't let the limited space here deter him.

(At least Illuga will make the hotel's kitchen an acceptable substitute soon. Thank you to Illuga's genius defying suite kitchenettes.)

For now, Yesod pauses to adjust the ties of Midnight's apron at the small of his back, if only as a gesture to invite Midnight's assistance in turn, touches exchanged while they busy themselves with their current task. Then Midnight's admission has Yesod's full attention; he listens, solemn.

Needless to say, Midnight's conspicuous absence when Kaveh and Alhaitham made their entrance didn't escape Yesod's notice, and Yesod is certain that it has been on Netzach's mind as well. It feels too close to Midnight removing himself from situations where he believed himself unwelcome.

It's good that Midnight continues to choose to come to them, to confide in them. It's good that Midnight is here right now. ]

Do you want to see him?

[ Yesod thinks of that simulated city, how often Midnight must have spent time with Kaveh there. Seventh Hell was the product of their collaboration. Midnight assisted Kaveh and Netzach to shape the apartment that became a home, first for the Librarians, and then once more with Midnight's own presence.

They haven't seen each other in too many months, but before that, Kaveh did a great deal to make all of them feel welcome, again and again, through difficult moments and in brighter ones. Already, he is doing the same here.

Up together — Yesod thinks of the apparent pledge that Midnight and Kaveh reaffirmed during that all too brief call, too. ]

Around

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya is also checking things out, so when she sees Yesod who is someone with a face, thank god, she offers him a smile and a wave.]

Hey. [She peeks back into the laundry room.] You seen this? Must make keeping clothes clean a whole lot easier.

[wordchain]

[ Though the stranger's friendly greeting catches Yesod by surprise, he returns the smile after a moment, both because he also welcomes encountering someone who isn't faceless, and because of the room before them. Turning his head, he joins Dehya in scanning its interior. ]

It is convenient.

[ Particularly when there is bedding to wash, which will happen frequently, alongside other laundry to take care of on a regular basis. ]

Do you usually wash yours by hand?

[ Wearing minimal attire is probably convenient in that regard, too... ]

[legendofthelion]

[Maybe Yesod should also wear less clothes.]

Not a lot of other ways to do it where I'm from. [Some smaller slightly more automated machines for those with money, but not this much of a set-up for the average person--and certainly not a mercenary.] What about you?

[wordchain]

[ Yesod never managing this outside of specific contexts... 😔

He gives Dehya a politely curious look. Where is she from, he wonders. ]

Admittedly, I am accustomed to these machines. May I ask where you were prior to arriving here?

[legendofthelion]

Oh, great! Maybe you can give the rest of us a hand. [She offers him a smile.]

Name's Dehya, I'm a mercenary from Sumeru--uh, that's in Teyvat. [Having to clarify what planet she's from... that'll take getting used to.]

[wordchain]

[ Yesod nods in response to Dehya's first remark, willing to provide whatever guidance might be needed in the laundry room. Then, as she introduces herself, recognition crosses his features. ]

Ah, I'm somewhat familiar with Sumeru, thanks to two friends of mine. Perhaps you know them: Kaveh and Alhaitham.

around!!!

[fussiest]

[ one night in and kaveh already thinks he has separation anxiety. it has nothing to do with having been apart from his friends for nearly a year, and everything to do with his over-reactive imagination at the thought of all this being some kind of a new, weird, terrible trick played by the simulation. earlier than what is strictly kosher, he's already up and pacing in his and netzach's shared room. and then, realising that he was either going to wear a hole in the floor or wake up netzach, whichever one came first (there is no not-waking alhaitham, he's learned that much, anyway), he vacated the room so that he can get some fresh air and out of his head.

the breakfast nook is difficult to miss. kaveh follows his nose and ends at a long, extravagant spread that has his eyebrows shooting up into his hairline - after literal years of city food, this seems like... a bit unbelievable, honestly. it's only yesod's presence that peels him away from his disbelieving staring enough to bright up the way all sunlit things do and make a beeline for him. ]

Yesod! Good morning! [ oh, thank goodness yesod is still here, and alive, kaveh thinks. he only barely manages not to give yesod another hug, ending it with an awkward pat to the shoulder. ] Did you, ah, sleep well? Was the bed alright? I find that the quality is far better than what we had in the City, but their decor could use some work. Are they familiar with any colours that aren't beige and white?

[wordchain]

[ An early start to the day has followed a rather restless night, and it seems exceedingly ridiculous and irrational to feel even more out of sorts simply because it isn't possible to prepare breakfast to have with Netzach and Midnight in their own kitchen. Consequently, Yesod has been standing there for several minutes, frowning at the generous spread awaiting the hotel's guests. They don't have other options yet — he can at least assess these and confirm that nothing will catch them unawares.

Kaveh is welcome company, however, and reassuring to see once again, still here. It clears the frown from Yesod's features; he smiles at Kaveh instead. ]

Good morning, Kaveh.

[ Then his expression turns mildly taken aback, if only because answering Kaveh's questions honestly might ruin the mood somewhat. He isn't capable of sleeping well without Netzach and Midnight there beside him, close, where he can be certain that they are safe. He has grown too accustomed to being able to touch them, he supposes. ]

Ah... The beds are structurally adequate. [ But the sheets lack the scent of home, the comfort of everything irreplaceable that comprises it. ] Perhaps the staff would permit some degree of personalization?

[fussiest]

[ yesod's smile settles something small and restless in kaveh's chest, like a bird deciding with tenative courage that perhaps the branch will hold after all. it's a ridiculous relief, and he knows it. but relief rarely consults reason before it floods.

still - structurally adequate, yesod says, and kaveh's years' of deciphering the precise language of a taciturn introvert kicks in. he considers this for a moment. ]

Perhaps... I know that you prefer beds that are a little on the firmer side, but with just enough give so that Netzach naturally tilts towards you during sleep. All the mattresses here seem very uniform - believe, I've tried about fifteen of them before realising that there was no saving them. But maybe I can do something about the bed, or the springs.

[ hm. ] Would you like me to take a look sometime today? I doubt I can have a solution for you right away, but it might be worth looking into. [ ... wait. ] Wait, did you tell Netzach about this?

[wordchain]

[ Kaveh's observations and the offer that follows shouldn't come as a surprise by now, but his remarkable kindness continues to leave a profound impression. Yesod had meant to encourage Kaveh and Netzach to pursue redecorating their shared hotel room to reflect their tastes to whatever extent might be achievable with their limited options, but Kaveh thinks of him instead. ]

I... assumed that Netzach must be pleased that the hotel reservations have assigned both of you to the same suite.

[ Netzach is still asleep there, Yesod imagines, and it's good that he and Kaveh can spend time in each other's company freely again, as friends and specifically as artists. ]

Nevertheless, I appreciate your offer, and I intended to ask you for your opinion regarding our supplies here.

[fussiest]

[ kaveh's eyes widen as self-awareness eventually catches up to him. ]

Oh! Yes, Netzach and I are rooming, though I nearly forgot about that since my night was taken up by the most irritating man in the world. Alhaitham immediately passed out on my side of the bed the moment his head hit the pillow. My side! He ought to have known better! [ with a gesture that's the summation of each and every frustration borne by mankind: ] I'm always on the left! I had half a mind to suffocate him with a pillow in the middle of the night, but decided that I can't get into that much trouble my first few days in. What will the reception think?

Anyway, you can always come to our room, Yesod. I don't think Netzach is used to sleeping alone either; I had half a mind to invite him over to our bed, if Alhaitham hadn't been taking up the majority of it. [ kaveh looks at yesod for a moment, contemplative. ] And you're not used to sleeping without him, right? I might as well get his bed the right firmness, and both of you can benefit.

[wordchain]

[ It's then that Yesod realizes — unaware of Alhaitham's slime consequences to come — that there are no rules dictating that they must sleep in their assigned rooms each night. Perhaps he and his husbands could have shared a bed, despite the small size of the hotel beds, as they normally would. Taishin might prefer that as well, though it doesn't seem right to leave a teenager alone here, either.

It's something to contemplate and discuss further, with everyone involved. Right now, his eyes widen a little in kind, though he has witnessed enough of Kaveh's exasperation towards Alhaitham to think that having Alhaitham's presence there through the night must have been comforting all the same, no matter which side of the bed he claimed.

Then Yesod colors as Kaveh's accurate conclusions bring to mind everything that has come to constitute a customary bedtime routine, a restful night's sleep. He worries that Midnight also hasn't slept at all. ]

Thank you for your invitation as well, Kaveh. I must confess that I was planning to visit both Netzach and Midnight shortly. I can't deny that it's unusual... that the three of us have spent the night apart.

around take 2!

[telos]

[ and for the total opposite:

guess who has two thumbs and is currently passed out peacefully on the laundry room floor in a pile of clean laundry.......... this dude. ]

[wordchain]

[ At first, the sight of someone lying motionless on the floor is quite concerning. Approaching the boy to ascertain whether seeking assistance is needed, Yesod crouches down beside him, looking him over to confirm that he is in fact breathing and uninjured. That seems to be the case, at least, and even if he slipped and fell, the laundry may have meant a softer landing. ]

[telos]

[ it only takes a shifting of focus for minato's eyes to flutter open. he observes for a moment the purple-haired man looking down at him. and then, because he is minato, he raises a hand in greeting. ]

... hi.

[wordchain]

[ Ah, the boy appears to be perfectly fine, simply sleeping in this pile of laundry as Prism might. The laundry, on the other hand, will need to be washed again. ]

...Greetings. Was this intentional?

[ Yesod gestures at Minato's little nest. ]

[telos]

[ a thoughtful, sleepy hum. ]

Sort of... [ another yawn. hm. ] I can't really get a good sleep; figured I wouldn't be bothering anyone down here.

[wordchain]

[ Yesod tilts his head slightly, contemplative. There could be many reasons to explain why someone might have trouble sleeping here, and if nothing else, this boy was able to rest briefly now, albeit in a place that can't be good for his posture. ]

Is your assigned room the problem?

[ Or maybe Minato would also benefit from Netzach ASMR... ]