Big City Living (Midpoint Mingle)

[midpointmods]

The town of Midpoint: called thus because it is at the exact center of the game arena, a busy little Western town full of strange people, many of whom don’t look remotely human, because this is where all the players gather and live. Midpoint Saloon: called thus because it is the only bar in Midpoint. It’s also the biggest building in town, four stories high, dotted with windows, painted a jaunty yellow and decorated with red and green flowers in all the window boxes.

This is where your veteran teammate points you. Or just stomps off to and hopes you follow.

Downstairs is a bar and tavern, Old West style, right down to the upright piano in one corner and a raucous crowd of locals - largely locals, but with a healthy smattering of unusual or downright alien faces that clearly indicate the presence of other Players - eating, drinking, gambling, and getting into trouble. There’s a broad, bearded man behind the bar, waving cheerfully at you as you enter.

The rest of the night and the next day is yours to do with what you see fit. Explore the town, take a long nap in your new room, try to get to know people... everyone is here for the next twenty-four hours before travel to the mission site, so it’s a good chance to scope out the competition, at the very least.

Comments

[shadowsran]

"Well, there's getting out," she replies, in a tone conveying no particular optimism despite her smile, "But pennies lost along the way are a small price to pay for, y'know, decency." Neighbors should spot neighbors when possible, however hostile the greater circumstances.

There is perhaps something of an olive branch in this exact instance. She genuinely was unaware, which almost increases pressure to...something.

[ragingwolf]

He doesn't roll his eyes, but he does glance away, picking up an item at random (that turns out to be a jar of pickles). "I suppose there's no harm in giving the fresh meat a hand," he agrees. "Better that they have someone helping them out now than finding out they can't do anything for themselves just yet."

[shadowsran]

"Makes town a little nicer to be around, too." The game is mandatory and too often terrible, but holdover animosity could be optional. Not normal, never quite normal, but the downtime could be at the very least civil. "Only going to be harder for them to get some starting points if they're going in without tools or dehydrated."

[ragingwolf]

"I suppose so." As much as he's making a show about not fully agreeing with her, his tone amd body language are pretty chill. "I made a point to tell my current team that we're all on the same side, in the end. No point making enemies if you can help it."

Not that that's stopping him from hating the fucking sniper, but he earned that grudge.

[shadowsran]

"It's a good thing to hear early. I started with Rocket, and he's."

Well.

"The opposite of flattering, when it comes to everybody else."

[ragingwolf]

That gets a light snort. "He's a thieving asshole," he says, raising an eyebrow. "My first round was with Jolie, so I think I started off with a much more charitable team leader than some people."

Like his own team. Fuwa is also an asshole.

[shadowsran]

The closest she's come to outright ruffled feathers thus far is Jiro, and he thankfully seems the sort who will keep to himself.

"Abrasive," she carefully agrees. "He's a lot. Not a great environment for improving it, sadly." He's intelligent. There's no shortage of value, there. She can almost talk herself into liking him. "Got to be something nice if Groot's managed to stick around so long, though."

Groot is an inarguable delight.

[ragingwolf]

It is indeed very hard to hate Groot. Even Fuwa's mostly just confused and, at worst, vaguely offput by him. "I doubt any of us are much better off as people for having been stuck here," he muses sourly. "But there's not much we can do besides keep going."

[shadowsran]

"Exactly." With a firm nod, she diverts her gaze back to the grain sacks. "Figure in the off-hours we ought to throw each other bones when we can, only gonna get worse if we end up actually hating each other."