Remedy lifts her phone over the diner table. The tablet’s blue pulse washes her screen yellow while Tanner and Chuck go still across from her.
Remedy
Gerard, meet us at the mountain’s base. We’re going back in together.
The call rings. Zara leans in, hands folded tight, while the booth hums under the low din of coffee machines and tired voices.
Gerard
I’m on it. Send the exact base point, and don’t split up before I arrive.
Chuck slides the tablet closer, the highlighted side cut glowing beside the countdown to first light. Tanner taps the route twice, like he is trying to fix it in place.
Zara
If the window is that tight, we move the second Gerard is here.
Remedy sends the location. Outside, the dark road reflects the diner sign, and beyond it the mountain waits with its hidden passages, now one step closer to reopening.
“Is the mountain still open enough for us to make it?”
NO (Likely, rolled 84)
The blue pulse on the tablet suddenly flickers and dies, leaving the screen dark. A sharp, grinding sound echoes from the mountain's direction, signaling the final closure of the passage.
“We wait for Gerard”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
The booth goes quiet for a beat, then Remedy’s phone buzzes once under her hand. Gerard’s name flashes on the screen, and the others look up as if the call itself has opened the door.
Remedy
Gerard’s on the way.
Remedy answers, keeps it brief, and sends the meeting point again. She hangs up with the exact location confirmed, the diner’s stale light reflecting off the dark tablet beside the sugar caddy.
Zara
He heard us. Good. I was starting to hate the idea of waiting here any longer.
Tanner
Then we do not waste the time. He meets us at the base, we move at first light, and that is it.
Chuck
And if he misses the window, we do not stand around arguing about it. We go in without him.
Outside the diner window, headlights slide past in the rain-slick dark. Inside, the team gathers their bags and stands by the booth, waiting for Gerard to turn that empty parking lot into a real rendezvous.
“I head outside for Gerard”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled -2)
Remedy pushes out through the diner door and into the wet parking lot, the cold air snapping at her sleeves. The windows behind her glow dull and amber, while the road ahead sits black and shiny under the rain.
A pair of headlights eases along the curb, then slows. Gravel ticks under the tires as Gerard’s vehicle rolls into place, turning the empty lot into a meeting point.
Gerard
You made it. I am here.
Remedy
Good. We move together from the base.
Gerard
Understood. I am committed, and I am not leaving you to handle this alone.
Through the diner glass, Zara, Tanner, and Chuck are already at the door with their bags. The team has a route, a time, and now Gerard in motion with them.
Rain drums harder on the car roof as Gerard reaches for the latch, waiting for Remedy’s lead.
“I head to Gerard's car with the team.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled -2)