Session 07

Waking Up & Returning to Den’s (2024-09-07)

The trio— Mia, Det, and Siz —wakes up at Siz’s bioengineered home, recovering from the chaos of the previous day.
The storm has weakened, though the wind is still strong.
Discussions from the previous night linger, particularly about bioengineered ships and the mystery surrounding their job.
Den is expecting them, and they prepare to leave.

Siz wakes up first, demonstrating impressive Ysoki flexibility with a full-body stretch.
She quietly leaves the room and prepares breakfast—pancakes, coffee, and a mysterious fruit juice with an earthy sweetness.
Det stirs first, drawn by the smell of coffee, while Mia remains deeply asleep.
When Mia finally wakes up, she groggily searches for the bathroom before joining the others for breakfast.
Siz begins a morning run on a built-in exercise wheel, showcasing yet another function of her living house.
Mia and Det decline to join the workout, instead focusing on finishing breakfast and preparing for their meeting with Den.

Siz calls Den on speaker, informing him that they will be heading to the bar soon.
Den looks exhausted, suggesting he didn’t sleep much after the previous day's events.
He asks if they intend to take the day off, but Mia and Det insist on coming in immediately.
Siz books a cab, ensuring that the driver follows her usual precaution—staying off the lawn of her living house.

The cab arrives, piloted by a chatty driver with a heavy accent.
He listens to loud, dramatic music, a mix of orchestral choir, spoken-word poetry, and aggressive vocal crescendos.
Siz takes pride in her cooking, engaging in conversation with the driver about his favorite item on Den’s menu—Falafel and soup.
The driver deadpans that he expected her to be ‘‘rounder,’’ prompting a self-conscious defense from Siz.
Mia remains cautious, periodically checking for tails, but the ride is uneventful.
As they approach Den’s, an elf with a contemplative expression watches them from a nearby alley before disappearing.

The cab pulls up to Den’s Bar & Grill, marking their return to the scene of the job.
Mia, ever budget-conscious, insists that Den or Charles should cover the fare.
Siz reluctantly pays, muttering that she’ll ‘‘extract it from them later.’’
Mia exits first, bracing against the wind and holding the door open for the others.
The driver bids them farewell, promising to return later for a sandwich.
Det thanks the driver and enters, relieved by the cooler temperature and eager for answers.