welcome, new visitors

[modconcierge]

There isn't much fanfare for the new crop of visitors who have come in this month, but what they encounter is quite wondrous. Is it a cruise ship? Is it a hotel? Is it a tiny planet? No one can give them a straight answer, but all are encouraged to take part in the buffet, where visitors may find an assortment of foods both familiar and unfamiliar to them. There is an open mic night happening in one of the lounges on site, featuring staff and visitor performances. Or there are a handful of shops to browse if you're amenable to trading.

Visitors will find that the Hotel Multiverse at the Edge of the Cosmos between Canons (its official name) is very much alive beyond the bustling crowd. In fact, it might just be listening to you and anticipating your needs.

As for the rest? Well, that's up to you. You may as well socialize, right?

Comments

[brokeassgoing]

[his face journey was impressive, truly! Badou watches for a moment before his tilts into a grin]

I don't think that saves it. Maybe if there was a cheesecake-y one.

[firs]

But cheesecake already exists.

[ they're separate things, and, surely you agree that dessert categories and definitions are very serious.

but. when he considers the structure (the crust texture, the fillings and versatility thereof)...

he has suddenly never been more delighted to be out of dream hell. he truly sounds a little awestruck as he matches this guy's grin. ]

You know, they really are the same, aren't they?

[brokeassgoing]

[this guy is serious about desserts-- or maybe just pie. Badou can't help but chuckle, and even looks a little smug when the other man agrees]

See? Fuckin' toldja, man. This must be some kinda weird purgatory.

[firs]

[ it's always about every day, once a day, getting yourself a present, my dude. cooper's presents just usually happen to be food. he doesn't discriminate based on flavor profile, but he does have his preferences.

the assertion, however, activates his investigation mode just a bit. ]

Theming's not bad. [ he gestures with a nod of his head to the panoramic window. come to think of it, cooper didn't exactly formally arrive, either. ethereal appearances and disappearances have become the norm for him. ] Did they tell you anything at check-in?

[brokeassgoing]

[Badou's are cigarettes, and it's just as heartbreaking as heartening when he runs out and loses his entire shit.]

No, it's pretty sweet if any of this is real and we aren't hallucinating. [he says it pretty lightly, actually. doesn't sound too worried]

I don't even remember checking in. I sure as shit don't have the money to afford this...the last thing I remember was-- something from home.

[firs]

[ fuck, man, is this an extension of the lodge? cooper glances out of the corner of his eye for a split second, almost expecting to see the giant there, or just a bare tree, but none of the other guests seem too suspecting. and they definitely never let him have food like this there.

but he'll bite. ]

You have a habit of shared hallucinations?

[ i mean, it's just delivered so casually. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[Badou looks at him in disbelief and snorts rather loudly]

I'm kidding-- no, I don't. I'm as sane as, well. Most people. I'm just saying, this is too bizarre. Like nothing I've ever seen before, and I've seen some shit-- tangible, I mean.

[firs]

[ that's right, gang, we are totally sane in this multiverse tonight. the only remote sign of a tell as cooper nods along are the way his eyebrows shoot up in surprise for a fraction of a second. he finishes off those last crumbs of pie to buy himself some time. ]

Wouldn't you know it, I don't have a single recollection of talking to any of the hotel staff before setting foot in the dining room. [ he drops his saucer onto a nearby table. ] Figured it was just a side-effect of a long night and too much REM sleep, but it sounds like we've got some questions to ask.

[brokeassgoing]

[is there a space chili's in here tonight too?

so if this guy doesn't remember, and badou doesn't remember then who's driving the car]

I didn't even get to stiff the bellboy. Have you talked to any staff at all? I don't know if I've seen any.

[firs]

Sure, I have. Who do you think's working the dessert counter?

[ spoiler: it's an overworked college kid whose eyes are glazed over. they don't pay a lick of attention to the guests. cooper turns back to the other person and grins. it's so funny how candid people get when they have a sense of purpose. ]

But! In every hotel, there's one central nexus of information, a shrine of knowledge, and the person behind the counter acting as its priest. What we need is the front desk.

[brokeassgoing]

[he looks to where he indicates and okay, he saw them too, but assumed they were robots]

I had thought the greasy pimples and tear tracks were too legit...

[so that's even worse. they're paying people for this crap! info at the info desk, who woulda thunk it?]

Alright. Never been on a ship space or boat before this, so you'd think it'd be in a main area? Lobby?

[firs]

You're a natural. [ coop snaps his fingers and keeps it both weird and focused as he sets off toward — well, honestly, he doesn't exactly know, but he just generally follows a natural pathway out of the banquet hall, fully expecting the other to follow him. ]

No hotels, no vacations. [ we are interview mode baybeeeee ] Where's home, exactly?

[brokeassgoing]

[he follows if only because he's curious (a dangerous trait) and bored (doubly so!). and really he just wants to see what Coop does next]

No money for vacations. Home is a shitty city without much in it. How bout you? I'm thinking government job, with the suit and all.

[firs]

Right again! [ okay he sees you!!!! ] Dale Cooper, FBI. [ as they walk, he offers his hand to shake. ] Based out of the San Francisco office, but I've recently been on assignment.

[brokeassgoing]

Ahhh, FBI. [he shakes the offered hand, nodding, smiling to himself] Yeah, that makes sense. Badou Nails, humble info broker. Was your assignment more interesting than this?

[firs]

[ info broker. interesting. cooper doesn't know exactly what kind of crimes await his discovery at this hotel, but surely that's a good contact to keep in his back pocket. ]

Not much I can share, but I'll tell you this — [ and he stops in his tracks, because this memory is crucial. ] whoever wants to preserve the Pacific Northwest with all those evergreens is right on the money.

[ the space vibes are great, but damn, he would lose it over some autumn foliage right now too.

but he starts moving again. back to business. ]

Info broker. How does one find their way into that line of work?

[brokeassgoing]

[Badou also pauses-- rapt at attention-- and then puzzlement. evergreens are...trees right? but what kind of money racket could someone use trees for] I-- guess? Like, when the leaves change? They do that, don't they...?

[he isn't following, but he can follow this]

You know, you look into something, and also you're starving-- you fall into it.

[firs]

[ it's fine, his train of thought is running too fast for even him to follow. dare didn't tell anyone shit about caffeine addiction. regardless, he says nothing more about washington nor its douglas firs, nodding along with badou's story, considering. ]

Pays well?

[brokeassgoing]

[he wonders if this stuff about the trees will be on a pop quiz later. hopefully not.

a scoff:]

Barely. Just scraping by. It depends on the info, really.

[firs]

Yikes.

[ cooper grimaces out of sympathy. they're further down the hall now, with the glowing lights of the lobby and front desk inside. again, cooper stops, an idea striking him. ]

What's your going rate?

[brokeassgoing]

[this is meant to be a comforting place and relaxing but the vibe gives him the creeps like this]

Again, depends on the info. And I'm not unfair, I know about as little as you.