Morning light cuts through the blinds of Sally's apartment, striping the rumpled sheets and the clothes dumped over a chair. She wakes slow, head heavy, in her underwear, with a dry mouth and the ache of last night still clinging to her muscles.
Sally swings her legs out of bed and pads to the kitchen. The tap runs cold, and she drinks straight from the glass until the water settles the worst of the fog.
Sally
The water helps. I need something salty, too.
She raids the fridge and cabinet for anything useful, finally finding eggs, toast, and a bruised orange. The little kitchen fills with the smell of butter and toast as she gets breakfast going.
From the living room, her phone gives a short buzz on the table. A second later, another buzz follows, patient and familiar, like whoever is calling expects her to answer when she is ready.
The Rose
Morning, Sally. You alive enough for coffee, or should I bring the good stuff and make it food?
✓ Quest Accepted
Answer The Rose’s morning call
“Pick up the phone and tell The Rose I am alive and need that coffee.”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled -1)
Sally snatches up the phone with one hand and keeps the skillet steady with the other. The eggs hiss louder for a second, and a little curl of smoke lifts off the pan.
Sally
I am alive. And I need that coffee.
The Rose
Good. I was hoping I did not have to come drag you out of bed.
The Rose
Keep the eggs warm. I am bringing coffee, and something stronger for the headache if you need it.
A beat of silence follows, then her tone softens on the line, almost amused.
The Rose
You sounded better last night. This morning, you sound like you fought the sun and lost.
Sally shifts the pan off the hottest burner, and the phone slips a little in her grip, tapping her wrist. A smear of butter marks her thumb.
Quest Complete
Answer The Rose’s morning call