Perkatory: Coffee and Zombies

Zoe sat hunched over the counter in Perkatory, her fingers drumming an uneven rhythm against the wood. Lisa's voice from earlier echoed in her mind: "If you're going to trade coffee with people far away, how do you know it'll even last the trip?"

It was a simple question, but the implications loomed large. The idea of trading her brews had been thrilling—a way to keep Perkatory alive and make it a beacon of hope for other survivors. But Lisa's point hit hard. Coffee that went stale or lost its magical potency during transport would ruin everything.

"System," Zoe muttered, her voice tight with frustration, "do you have anything to help me with this?"

The familiar shimmering interface of the Brewmaster System appeared before her, its text glowing faintly in her vision.

"Oh, I do."

"Great," Zoe said, a flicker of hope lighting her tone. "What is it?"

"Now, now, Carter," the system's snarky tone practically dripped from the words. "You know the rules. No freebies. Unlocking my best abilities means thinking for yourself. Consider it a test of your worthiness."

"You're insufferable," Zoe growled, gripping the counter's edge.

"Flattery will get you nowhere. Try using that brain of yours. Who knows? You might surprise me."

Zoe released a long, exasperated sigh, closing the interface with a sharp wave. The last thing she needed was the system's cryptic hints and smug attitude. Her temples throbbed as the stress mounted. The fate of Perkatory's survival seemed to hinge on solving this problem, and the pressure felt like it was crushing her.

Darren walked into the room, wiping his hands on a rag. "You've been staring at that counter for hours. Do you have a plan, or are you just hoping the coffee will brew?"

"Not now, Darren," Zoe snapped, not lifting her head.

Darren frowned, his usual lighthearted demeanor darkening. "Hey, I'm just trying to help. No need to bite my head off."

"If you want to help, maybe stop acting like this is a joke," Zoe retorted, the words sharp enough to sting.

Darren's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Pearson's voice broke the tension. "If you two are done, perhaps you'd like to see what I've been working on."

Pearson sat at one of the tables, his notebook and pen in hand. He gestured to the pages with meticulous notes, diagrams, and even a rough map of the café.

"I'm documenting everything," Pearson said. "The events here at Perkatory, the brews, the alliances we've made. One day, people will want to know how we survived. This could shape the future of humanity."

Zoe's patience finally snapped. "You think this is some kind of story to be told later? We're trying to survive now! I don't have time to worry about your history project."

Pearson's expression hardened. "If we don't learn from this, we will repeat it. I'm doing this for all of us, Zoe."

"Well, maybe you could start by not making me feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world alone!" Zoe shot back, her voice rising.

The room fell silent, the tension thick and oppressive. Zoe's chest heaved, her frustration threatening to boil over. She turned abruptly and stormed off, ignoring Darren's attempt to call her back. Slamming the bathroom door shut, she locked it and leaned against the cool tile wall, trying to steady her ragged breathing.

"You know," the system's voice chimed in, unbothered by her mood, "I have just the thing for moments like this. A calming brew, perhaps? It works wonders for frayed nerves."

Zoe scowled at the air. "I don't need calming. I need answers."

"Suit yourself. But don't blame me when your blood pressure skyrockets. I'm just here to help. In my own charming way, of course."

Zoe closed her eyes, taking slow, deep breaths. She considered the system's suggestion for a moment. A calming coffee might help her regain focus, but another part resisted the idea. Her sense of urgency, however uncomfortable, was driving her forward. If she dulled that edge, would she lose her momentum?

"No," she said aloud. "I'm not taking the easy way out."

"Admirable," the system said, its tone almost approving. "Now, let's see if you can channel that stubbornness into something useful."

Zoe sank onto the bathroom floor, her mind racing. Lisa's question replayed over and over, gnawing at her. How could she ensure the coffee stayed hot, cold, and fresh during transport? Her thoughts darted between ingredients she'd used and those she hadn't yet unlocked. Then it hit her: maybe the solution wasn't a single ingredient but a combination. Something to maintain temperature and something to preserve freshness.

"System," Zoe said, her voice steady now. "What about adding ingredients to regulate temperature? Something to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold?"

The system's interface appeared, and though it didn't have a face, Zoe could almost sense its smug grin.

"Now you're thinking like a Brewmaster. Hot drinks? Try steamed milk. Cold drinks? Ice. Both are simple yet effective."

"And for preservation?" Zoe pressed.

"Ah, now that's the tricky part. You'll need a specialized ingredient for that. Unfortunately, you don't have it in your inventory."

"Can I unlock it?"

"Of course! The system's store has everything you need. For the right price."

Zoe groaned. "What's the currency?"

"Experience points," the system replied. "You earn five points for every successfully brewed potion. The preservation ingredient costs two points per unit."

Zoe did a quick mental calculation. She'd brewed enough potions to have a decent pool of points. "Alright," she said. "I'll buy a few to start."

"Excellent choice. Just remember, Carter: innovation is the heart of mastery."

The interface shimmered and disappeared, leaving Zoe alone with her thoughts. She pushed herself to her feet, determination replacing doubt. She had a plan now. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

In the main room, Darren and Lisa spoke in hushed tones.

"She's been on edge for days," Darren said, his voice laced with concern. "I get that she's under a lot of pressure, but… she's snapping at everyone."

Lisa nodded. "I'm worried about her. She's taking all of this on herself. She will burn out if she doesn't find a way to let us help."

Pearson, seated at a table with his notebook, chimed in. "She's carrying the weight of a leader. It's not easy, especially in times like these. But she'll find her way. She always does."

Their words drifted into the background as Zoe emerged from the hallway, her head held high. She didn't stop to address them; her focus was already on her next steps. The tension in the room didn't fade, but Zoe felt hope igniting within her. She wasn't done yet—not by a long shot.