hotelcaelum | Event Log #004

EVENT LOG
number 004

Happy New Year, folks! The Hotel is settling into the New Year with little fanfare. Mr Bennet remains at his post behind the hotel desk and helps check guests in and out daily. The Hotel continues to hustle and bustle and nothing seems to be going too awry beyond the usual shenanigans. In fact, one might even call this the slow season for the Hotel.

THE FLOOR IS LAVA

That is until the second week of the month where the intercoms start with Mr Bennet's pleasant voice coming through.

"Hello, hello! This is just a small warning that one of our floors, the current 79th floor to be exact, has had a small... malfunction, I suppose, and will be affecting the other floors of the Hotel. No word yet from maintenance when this will be over, so stay on your toes, my dear guests!"

And that's it. No indication of what the problem is, or anything like that. It's up to you to figure out what's going on! And what is going on? Well, it'll become obvious very quickly when wherever characters happen to be in the Hotel, they'll soon start feeling a very obvious warmth on the floor below them. It'll increase the longer they stay standing in one spot until it's almost burning their feet.

The only salve for this will be hopping onto a nearby piece of furniture and getting their feet off the floor. It'll soon become obvious that the entire Hotel has been wrapped in a game of The Floor is Lava, including the floor turning into actual lava on some of the floors.

SAFETY SLEEPOVER

Of course, the Hotel is not cruel enough to make the entire Hotel unsafe and soon enough Mr Bennet's voice will come through on the intercom again.

"For those looking for respite from our current Hotel wide game," because clearly it's a game now. "We'll be serving tea and cake in the lounge on the ground floor. Maintenance has been able to fix the lounge for now so feel free to come by when you can if you'd like to rest. We have sleeping bags!"

As folks enter the lounge, they'll find that Mr Bennet is true to his word. The lounge has been converted into a giant sleepover, with sleeping bags lining the floor and a long table off to the side where people can eat their tea and cakes. Mr Bennet is near the food table, handing out pajamas, toothbrushes, and sleep masks to those who request them. There's some new doors off to the side leading to some restrooms, at least, so guests can change in private.

Though, one thing to point out is when Mr Bennet says there's tea and cakes, the cakes happen to be lava cakes. He thinks he's funny.

THE FLOOR IS ICE

It'll take about two days for hotel maintenance to fix the Hotel and return it to normal. So that's two days of living out of the lounge or hopping around the Hotel to get places. What a headache. Mr Bennet will make another lively announcement on the intercom.

"We are back in business, folks! I've just been given word that everything should have return to normal now. Though, there is a warning to make sure not to walk around barefoot for at least another day or so while the Hotel settles. Thank you for your patience!"

What that means becomes obvious soon as anyone walking around now will feel that the floor is especially cold. That's a bit better than the heat, at least, but still kind of a pain in the ass. Anyone who tries to walk around barefoot will find that their feet quickly start to freeze but any permanent damage is easily avoidable by putting on some socks or getting off the floor entirely.

Though that said, the ice does lead to some furniture sliding around and even with shoes on, characters might find themselves sliding too.

What a lovely end to the holidays.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Surely they will. It benefits them as much as it does us for them to keep our patronage.

[ A tilt of his head in agreement. ]

... Not that we are paying for anything as we stay here, but you are correct. Perhaps when I return to my room, all will be well and my bed will have already returned of its own accord.

Perhaps.

And we'll have to pay eventually. What do you think the cost will be when the time comes?

[ He considers, folding his arms over his chest and leaning back in his seat. ]

That is the question, isn't it? If it's not monetary, it might be something we value. Years of our lives, memories, our freedom itself. I can think of plenty of things I would not want to give up in exchange for my fee but there has to be something in exchange. Like Charon and his coins, the hotel must collect.

Charon?

[Never heard of him. She tilts her head.]

Are those the things you value the most?

[ Ah. Of course, different worlds. ]

A mythological ferryman from my world who leads deceased spirits to the afterlife. You pay him a coin in order for safe travel.

[ And he considers that. ]

... They would be among the top things, yes. If I had to trade either of them away, I'd be very upset.

[A coin? Any coin? Seems there's trouble even after death.]

It would be the same as giving yourself away. Is that it?

Exactly. If I were the hotel, I'd want something of value from my guests in exchange for the hospitality. Money clearly is no object so it must be something like that.

If it were you, what would you ask for?

Unfortunately, I'm a mercenary by trade. Even if you were to offer me your memories or freedom, I'd want your money.

[ Oooh, a mercenary. That's interesting. ]

Ah, a mercenary. What type of work do you take on? Security?

[ He decides not to ask if murder for hire is on the table because that would be impolite. ]

And that is understandable. I too would want money if I were in a position to be repaid something.

[ He loves money fr ]

[What a well-spoken man. As expected, he knows what he wants.]

It depends on the contract. Sometimes we provide security detail; other times, it's we who go on the offensive.

[ He tries. ]

Interesting. Do you have any particularly good stories of the work that you're able to share?

What makes a story good to you?

[ A tilt of his head as he considers. ]

Surprise and suspense?

[Hm . . . ]

Most of our jobs are hardly suspenseful. As for the element of surprise . . . my brothers were recently contracted to quell a civil war in another kingdom. I imagine the opposing side wasn't expecting them after two years at odds with their fellow people.

[ Oh, still captivating enough to get Nanami's interest. ]

That sounds intense. Both for them and the people. Is being a mercenary a family affair for you then?

[ Since he's assuming her brothers are also mercenaries, considering how she phrased it. ]

[She nods.]

Our father leads the organization. All four of us take part in its affairs, but we don't always head out together.

[She didn't go to the war. That's fine with her.]

[ He nods as he listens to her but then is quiet for a moment as he considers. ]

I want to say it must be nice to be with family in your line of work but then again, I could see a way it might be deeply unpleasant as well.

[She pauses to consider what he means.]

If you mean the inherent risk of going into danger, it's hardly an issue.

Oh? No chance of risking life and limb in your field of work?

There is. Limbs can be replaced, though, and we're not particularly afraid of dying.

[ There's a pause here from Nanami as if something she's said has struck him a little, but he doesn't explain it. Instead — ]

I understand. In a line of work like that, dying is an inevitability more than anything else. If you're going to do the work well, you have to accept that.

[She tilts her head to the side, inquisitive.]

Is your work similar?

[ He's quiet for a moment, considering how much to give away. But then again, Gojo seems to have told half the residents what they do in the first place so — ]

Yes. It is something I've had to grapple with myself.

[Thanks, Gojo!

She studies him for a moment, letting the words sink in as she does.]

You've made it this far. Do you still grapple with it?

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