Atlas Gym, Monday (December 17)

[notallbluemonks]

So, as Beau discovered shortly after arriving at work (almost on time, even, go her), the whole bottled water situation was going to be a bit of a problem today. Sure, it was great if you were into hot chocolate and all, but that really wasn't the optimal beverage to have after a good workout.

Which explained the "JUST USE THE FOUNTAIN" sign written in blue marker next to the cooler at the front desk, probably, scrawled in heavy block letters that somehow managed to ooze annoyance.

It probably also explained Beau grumbling under her breath all the while she was pummeling the hell out of a practice dummy. (Beating up on the dummy itself wasn't exactly unusual for her. The grumbling, on the other hand . . .)

The gym was open for business, but it was probably on the patrons today to be a little more mindful of their own hydration.

Comments

[what_the_shock]

"Not just at home, then."

Not that Miguel had expected it to be, but with Fandom you never knew. "All the machines behaving normally?"

[notallbluemonks]

"So far," Beau muttered, casting a deeply suspicious look at an elliptical. "None of them have tried to, like, eat anybody yet or anything, at least."

She planted her staff against the floor and leaned on it. "The water bullshit got you too, huh?"

[what_the_shock]

"Yeah." Miguel rolled his eyes. "Let my coffee sit too long. The trick is to drink it fast, before it goes chocolate."

Ice cubes. It had been awful, watering down coffee like that.

"You new here?" Miguel asked.

[notallbluemonks]

"Couldn't even have booze in it like last time," Beau said, rolling her eyes. "Maybe I can spike it, whatever."

She sighed, loudly, at the question. "How do you define new exactly? 'cause the answer to that depends on whether you think being here like a month already still counts."

[what_the_shock]

Miguel shrugged. "New enough I've probably heard your name on radio, then, but one of us isn't getting out enough. Miguel O'Hara," he introduced himself.

[notallbluemonks]

"On the radio?" No, Beau hadn't yet clued in to that particular aspect of Fandom life, which you could probably tell from the fact that she didn't threaten every squirrel she came across yet, but she got the general implication. Sorry in advance, squirrels.

"Yeah, I mean, I'm not like really into the whole society thing," she said, only half sarcastic. "Because there's so much of it here, right?"

That was definitely sarcastic.

". . . Beau," she added after a few seconds, making a face like she wasn't entirely sure that was what she was supposed to say now. "I mean, that's me."

[what_the_shock]

"Okay, yeah, I've heard you mentioned." Miguel shrugged. "And yeah, you're not missing much. We haven't even had a Drunk and Bored Club meeting for a few weeks. We should probably do that this weekend. Saturday night, on the beach," he explained. "Bring booze if you have it."

[notallbluemonks]

"Ah, now you're speaking my language," Beau said with an honestly kind of terrifying grin. "That the club Fjord mentioned? It's a real thing? I thought he was making a joke."

[what_the_shock]

Miguel laughed. "Nah, Fjord and I are founding members. There's a few others that drop by too, sometimes. Rosa, Fenris, Seivarden..." He tried to remember if anyone else had. "I think Kaidan came by once?" He shrugged. "Anyway, it's real. Open membership, pay your dues in booze to share."

[notallbluemonks]

"Yeah, that's fair," Beau agreed. "Saturday, the beach. Which better not be right up next to a giant fucking ocean of hot chocolate."

Never mind that these events had seemed to only last for a day.

[what_the_shock]

"That'd have to be bad for the environment." And was a pretty disgusting thought. "But yeah, these things don't tend to last long."

[notallbluemonks]

“Kinda noticed that.” But because Beau was not an optimistic person, she added, “But I feel like if I count on that, then I’m gonna jinx it, and then nobody will ever be able to use the pool again, so yeah.”

[what_the_shock]

"Good point," Miguel said. "Never take anything for granted. And really, the pool? Nobody needs that much chocolate."

[magnusrushesin]

"This is the best day!" Magnus was fucking jacked on sugar. Could you tell?

[notallbluemonks]

It was pretty obvious, yes.

"Dude, you have some messed up standards of quality, then," Beau told him, already planning an escape route in case the sugar high got to be too unbearable.

[magnusrushesin]

"But free hot cocoa!"

Living his best life.

[notallbluemonks]

Judging you, Magnus. Judging.

"Boring," Beau told him, scowling.

[magnusrushesin]

"I mean, boozy hot cocoa would be better." Yeah, that was just what he needed. Clearly. "Did you want some? I got a magic cup for it."

Because his DM made it rain with magic items.

[notallbluemonks]

And here Beau was several levels away from even getting her Bracers of Defense. They were low level adventurers here! And had not yet discovered the fourfold awesomeness of Pumat Sol.

"For booze?" Way to get back on her good side in a hurry, Magnus. "Seriously?"

[magnusrushesin]

"Yep! And it can sober you up too," he replied, digging around for it. "Didn't live up to the comedy potential like I thought it would."

[notallbluemonks]

"Yeah, I don't care about that part." Beau was all but making grabby hands at the cup. Yes, she was at work. No, it hadn't occurred to her that restrictions on drinking at work were a thing. "That's an unfortunate side effect, you know?"

[magnusrushesin]

"Yeah, but what if you gotta punch people with, like, accuracy," Magnus pointed out, offering over the cup. It was way better than the Time Cup.

[notallbluemonks]

"Pfft." Beau snorted and waved a hand like the overconfident little shit she was. "I'll be fine. That's easy."

Hey, she was going to rack up the natural 20s in her party!

. . . and also be in the lead for most natural 1s. DETAILS.

"That's pretty good," she decided after an experimental swig. "How'd you end up with that?"

[magnusrushesin]

Just be like Magnus and fudge the numbers. Or get those sweet skills that let you re-roll on saving throws.

"Fantasy Costco."

[notallbluemonks]

". . . the fuck?"

Yeah, Beau was just going to blink at him.

"That's, like. That's a place?"

Or possibly related to Jemedi Cosko, whatever.