[GP] Check-In and Check-Out?

[st_alksthroughwalls]

For several days the doorway to Room 137, The Caveman Room, has been glowing. Then last night the occupant of Room 137 was assigned to a different room. Today, the room is open and at the back, instead of a wall, there is daylight.

Bird song fills damp, tropical air, heavy with sweet floral perfume. From all sides, voices rise and fall in a pattern universally recognizable as haggling in a marketplace. Fresh citrus wars with the copper and iodine of freshly butchered fish and shellfish, freshly baked bread, and newly tanned leather. A fountain with a cupola tiled in jade green and gold rises in the center of an oval space surrounded by a riot of colorful stalls and from the far side you hear the ringing of metal on metal.

Those who investigate find themselves amidst several hundred shopkeepers and their patrons dressed in colorful fabrics and leather boots. Beyond the market lies a city of thousands, and beyond it, an ancient temple and vast jungle that opens into what the natives call "The Land Out of Time."

~ * ~
As much as Kitty wanted to investigate this new phenomenon, and she would, it seemed especially important to have at least one person in the cafe in case of new arrivals. It was her turn, so whether Caroline and the others joined her or not, Kitty would spend at least part of the day here behind the bar. Hopefully, whatever it was wouldn't swallow anyone up. Or if it did, Lara or Wyatt or both would come get her.

Comments

Re: Piotr Rasputin - Assigned Threads

[st_eelyourself]

"You will figure it out." He nodded. "You are too stubborn not to."

Draping an arm around her shoulders, he let her lead the way out of the cafe. "I will not hold breath for proper clothes." He could barely find clothes to fit him when he had nearly endless options. "It is good to know there are those here with such skills, though I do not have a way to pay for their services."

Re: Piotr Rasputin - Assigned Threads

[st_alksthroughwalls]

"We kind of work on a barter system since not everyone even comes from the same century or planet," she told him while leading him over to the front desk.

"I should warn you. The actual staff of the hotel? They're like... shades. They won't talk about anything outside their work functions and they're obsessed with clean towels."

As though on cue, the Innkeeper said, "Good afternoon Miss Pryde, can I get you some fresh towels?"

"No thanks. I'm good." She glanced at Piotr and tried not to laugh, shrugged, and said, "This is--"

"Piotr Rasputin. Yes, I have a reservation for Mr. Rasputin." He bent slightly as though retrieving something from a shelf beneath the counter and produced the property map/folder and keycard. Setting it on the countertop, he used a red pen to circle room 217. "Building Three. The Edelweiss Room. Will you need fresh towels, Mr. Rasputin?"

Re: Piotr Rasputin - Assigned Threads

[st_eelyourself]

"Century or planet?" Piotr asked, but then changed his mind. He was too tired and confused to try and process anything else. "Tell me later, da?"

Piotr couldn't help but chuckle as the Innkeeper responded as if on cue, even if it was slightly creepy. "Da. I would like many. Do you have extra large towels?"

Re: Piotr Rasputin - Assigned Threads

[st_alksthroughwalls]

"Later, yeah," Kitty agreed, and then laughed when the Innkeeper ducked into the room behind the desk.

He emerged a moment later with an enormous stack of towels and bath sheets and wash cloths and hand towels. "I believe you will find these more than satisfactory. And if you require a robe, I recommend the monogrammed terry cloth in the boutique. They're quite magnificent."