A Simple Transaction I

Ruby relished the last slice of earthmelon, trying to let the meal last as long as it could, even as their body practically vibrated with hunger. They took time to commit its spongy, crumbly texture, its dark, earthy taste, and its petrichor-like aroma to memory. It really was like eating dirt, but at the same time, Ruby could feel the last vestiges of nutrition percolating through their body. They had genuinely been starving themselves over this journey, and the feeling of energy returning to their body, even just a little, was like manna from heaven. Ruby had lacked the energy to truly throw themself into training...days ago, they assume, but it was hard to keep track of time in the void and even harder to do so while rapidly starving. But now, they jumped back into it. They had gained something indescribably, when they'd dissected and eaten the Gaoler Beast's eye, but it hadn't coalesced into any sort of technique or power or insight, not yet at least.

In the time between Ruby's last meal and their arrival on the Green World, that would change. With the application of effort, training, and calories, what did the Gaoler Beast's energy crystalize into?

Choose one development.

[ ] Structural Analyst - Ruby receives a semi-autonomous dream-organ. It compiles structural models, with a penchant for highlighting faultlines and failure points.
[ ] Ocular Intensification - Ruby's eyes become vastly more durable, and provide holistically improved vision, including broadened spectral scope.
[ ] First Gravity - Ruby achieves subcritical conceptual density. This allows for basic resistance to most forms of harm, among other marginal benefits.



After the agonizingly long journey there, the process of landing (or rather, crashing) their vessel goes by in a flash, especially to Ruby's hunger-addled mind. One moment, the Green World is growing from a point to circle, the next it becomes almost all-encompassing, and then the impact hits and they're too distracted by the pain to really pay attention. They don't get knocked unconscious, they're more than tough enough to handle a rough landing, but it still takes them a moment to get all their limbs and organs sorted out before they can assess the damage to their ship.

And it sure was damaged. The vessel had bounced across the ground like a stone skipped on water, stripping off its wings, propulsion, weapons, instruments, and even partially peeling open the hull itself. It was not technically beyond repair, but Ruby didn't even want to think about how long it'd take to conjure up the necessary materials from pure dreamstuff. Hopefully, there would be an easier path available somewhere in this world. For now, they needed to focus on a much more urgent need: finding something to eat.

Looking around, the area was shaded by a thick canopy, and where thin beams of light pierced through, the landscape appeared chaotic and strewn with obstacles, no level or clear ground aside from the furrows the vessel carved through the soil as it skidded. Even in those, in the brief time Ruby took to recover, the overgrowth of foliage was already beginning to retake the exposed soil. Seedlings were pushing their way up through the ground where they weren't being strangled by vines and creepers that were invading the gouged earth with visible speed. The young shoots could be edible. Listening, the world was quiet, though not silent, the sounds of jungle birds and flowing water audible in the distance. The crash had likely scared away any prey Ruby might have otherwise hunted.

Most importantly, however, was the aroma wafting down onto Ruby from above. Sweet nectar and fruit, clean and pure unlike anything in Destroyed. After their long journey, the scent of the canopy's plunder was more enticing than even the hazy memories of Ruby's life before Destroyed. It takes them hardly a moment to begin scaling the nearest tree, practically flinging themselves upwards, through many layers of tasteless branches and leaves, directly into a bounty of fruit near the very height of the tree. It was time to eat!

Choose one meal plan.

[ ] Feed. Ruby will no longer be starving, but will not be satisfied. Least risk of ambush.
[ ] Feast. Satisfying. Ruby will eat their fill. Moderate risk of ambush.
[ ] Gorge. Very satisfying. Ruby will eat until they cannot eat anymore. Most risk of ambush.