INTRO LOG - AUGUST 2013

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone Where: The Welcome Plaza When: 18th August, afternoon Summary: The new arrivals, freshly pulled from their worlds or others, awaken in a strange plaza... Warnings: Inbox death may occur. System overload at own risk. SOME NPC RESPONSES WILL BE SLOW UNTIL THE ONE WHO PLAYS THEM IS PRESENT. The first flickering of a lantern... It's a shuddering breath, a sensation of being pulled to elsewhere and finding oneself pressed against something rather hard with the sound of water coming from nearby. However, before one can fully stir, there is something that lifts you up from the rather warm (yet why did it feel like a chill going down your spine?) stone when you begin to drift off once more. It felt as though someone had thrown you from the frying pan, and then into the freezer - all you wanted to do was sleep... Yet the feeling passes quickly, and when you awaken, you begin to realize your surroundings. It looks like...a plaza of some sort? As they look around them, the ground beneath them is an intricate mosiac - a water fountain at the center of the plaza in this foreign world. There are many buildings around its perimeter, making this location seem like a central hub of whatever town this was. Some may even recognize the peculiar design of the buildings and sloped tiled rooftops as a Far Eastern theme. Were they somewhere along the Pacific? Who knows! But what is quite apparent is this: Along with the many buildings surrounding the plaza, the first thing that is noticeable is the amount of people sitting or standing around you in a similar daze. You are not alone... One building seems to stand out among all the others; one that seems large enough to house all of the completely lost and confused masses gathered here to the welcome plaza. A sign outside the door reads: WELCOME CENTER Newcomers: Please come inside for refreshments and your welcome packets! Odd... This wasn't written in your own language, and yet you find it easily understandable. Soon enough, if you don't enter on your own, someone comes from inside the double doors to usher you and everyone else inside. "Welcome to Saeng Seong! I know you must be confused as to where you are and what's going on, but we promise to explain this to you once we're inside and away from the hot sun!" Whether you go inside immediately or linger outside a little longer, eventually you must come in from the hot summer day, and sooner rather than later would probably be better. You'll find yourself in a well-lit lobby, filled with comfortable-looking couches and chairs. Along one wall are refreshment tables, loaded with all sorts of food and drink, including some you probably aren't familiar with. On the wall opposite are a pair of desks, each with a sign and a person seated behind them - Irene, General Assistance Devin, Technological Assistance Unlike the few waves before, the only people in charge seem to be the people behind the desks. They look a bit busy. However, before you can go over and give them a piece of your mind and ask questions, the same person who ushered you inside hands you a manilla envelope that contains your welcome packet, urging you to read this before asking the two figures questions that the packet likely answers. Inside it, you will find: a ring with a key and apartment number on it, some kind of cash card, a map and informational guide to the city, and a letter folded neatly on the top - Welcome to Saeng Seong! You are among a new group of arrivals to our city, from many far-apart worlds. We have gathered you here because our city is in a crisis, and we are at our last resorts. The energy of the city is in a slow downward spiral, and is dangerously close to expiring altogether. That's where you come in - you and everyone else we've brought to the city. Unlike those of us here, you have the potential to generate the energy the city needs, but you'll need to work together to do it. Why? Because the energy can only be generated when two people touch each other. Any touch will do, but it must be between two of you who are new to the city. If you don't keep in contact with someone, eventually your energy will begin to drain as well, making you dangerously ill. A few other things: The closed-off sections of the city are closed off for a reason; approaching them will cause your energy to drain very rapidly. We're working to open the rest of the city to you as soon as we can, but for now, please remain within the three central districts of the city. You have been given a key to a one-bedroom apartment in a complex set aside for you and the other new arrivals, near the riverside in the 1st district. You're free to change your living quarters whenever you like, and we encourage you to move in with someone in one of the larger apartments. When you want to change, just come back to this building to exchange your key. We've also included a cash card with a living stipend; if you're unfamiliar with this system, or the network established for new arrivals, you can talk to Devin in the lobby for help. It's what he's here for. If you need medical assistance, contact Mai, one of our nurses. Again, welcome, and thank you for all your help. Irene Arrival Liaison Back behind you, others still linger, and through the translucent glass you can see a banner hanging from the tiled roof of the building across the street in the blistering summer day: WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG (ENJOY YOUR STAY!)

Comments

[guiding_starlight]

[ Milling around with the rest of the new arrivals was a Japanese woman wearing a dress styled in American 1950's vintage fashion. As Nanoha wandered the area it is clear from her expression that she was looking for something — or someone. When she finally stopped, it was to face the spot at which she had oriented herself, hands clutched together before her like a patient housewife awaiting her husband's arrival at the train station. The image is close enough, and the sentiment rings true, but the internal turmoil she feels right now extends well beyond that.

Nanoha will be here all day. All. Day.. Until they close the center down, or shoo her away, or she can no longer stand up straight. The woman ignores fatigue, hunger, and her own impatience with the situation to wait nearby.

The welcoming documents have been thoroughly read, and perhaps she's even stopped to smile at someone that noticed her, but overall her attentiveness and welcoming nature are not at the levels they should be. The only thing that would quell her anxiety and bring her renewed hope would be a familiar face... but that does not mean she will ignore others! Nanoha is not that selfish, nor can she afford to let this new situation keep her off of her guard. ]

[latelybloomed]

[Nanohana had been wandering around for awhile, the hopes of someone else close to her arriving. She knew there was always the chance that it would be someone she didn't want to see, but she had to take that chance.

Imagine her surprise when she caught sight of Nanoha. She had dismissed her at first, but the more she looked at her, the more she remembered the nine year old girl from her world...]

N-Nanoha?

[guiding_starlight]

[ If the hair and eyes did not cause the double-take, the red orb hanging from her neck and the sound of her voice certainly would have. ] Yes...? [ She turned and looked over at the girl, trying to puzzle out who she was and how she knew her name. It could have easily been a friend of Vivio's, or even just a classmate. While Nanoha worked at the school regularly, she did not keep tabs on everyone. Many children came and went, and the drones were painful to talk to at times, so the woman appears as a cross between sheepish and perplexed.

But still, she tries to smile. ] Hello. [ There was no need to be rude. ] May I help you? [ ...but also no reason to lead the girl on, with zero clues to go on. ]

[latelybloomed]

[Nanohana couldn't help but blink. She knew Nanoha but she didn't seem to. Maybe a bit of memory jogging]

Nanoha, I-it's me, Hana! Remember? We worked together on the White Chalice! Helped each other out from time to time...!

[It never dawned on her that this wasn't HER Nanoha.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ The girl's clues only serve to further confuse her. Nanoha shakes her head. It was the opposite of the other time.

"on the White Chalice..." That sounded like a ship name. What else could it mean? Nanoha mentally checked a list of all known TSAB vessels she had ever been attached to, or encountered during briefings and reports, and came up empty.

She shook her head gently. Nanoha is not one to disappoint people, but at the same time, she must be honest. ] I'm very sorry, but I can't recall any of this.

[nozomisitter]

[Rin had been looking around for more familiar faces. If Yuna was here, then certainly more people were, right? It was a faint hope but it was something she clung onto, since people in her life was important.

Moving around, she noticed the familiar form of her neighbor from Mayfield. Well, if the dress wasn't a dead giveaway... She moved up closer to her and waved in view.]

Nanoha, correct?

[guiding_starlight]

[ Nanoha nodded. ] Yes, that's me. [ There is a moment as she puts a name to the face, and once it clicks into place, her expression shifts first to one of surprise— ] Ah, Rin, was it? From the neighborhood. [ —and then the concern creeps up on her. ] ...from Mayfield.

[nozomisitter]

Yes, that's right. [She remembered that Nanoha had been droned before the events of the final battle as it were happened. As such, Rin put on as much of a reassuring smile for her.]

Don't worry, Mayfield's a thing of the past now. We're all safe now.

[guiding_starlight]

It...? What do you mean? [ That reassurance goes far, but it's more like Nanoha's heart makes a far leap, reaching past the assurances and toward blind hope, instead. She steps closer, a closed hand resting on her chest. ] Have you seen them? My family and friends. Fate, Vivio, Hayate... anyone else? [ She starts to look around. Are they with her? Are they on their way? She hasn't been able to reach them, but she hasn't tested out if her powers were yet-again limited in some way. Everything else so far had distracted her. ]

[smallskull]

[When new arrivals appear, Assassin lurks around the welcoming center as well. She has no one to look for, but she's curious by nature, and she likes to keep an eye out for anyone interest-catching.]

[At first, Nanoha goes overlooked, but after some time, the way she continually waits becomes a point of interest all on its own. Assassin doesn't out-and-out approach her, precisely, but she edges close enough to be noticed—and close enough to observe, her expression flat as she studies her.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ That feeling one sometimes gets when eyes are on them is absent right then, but after the crowd has moved here and there she cannot help but notice the little girl. Or rather, she thought she had been observing a fixture out of the corner of her eye, but when Nanoha turned her head to look she realized that was not the case.

She gave the girl a small smile and brought up a hand as if to wave. Don't be shy, now. ]

[smallskull]

[For a second, there isn't any response, Assassin silent and still as her gaze moves from Nanoha's face to her hand. Then, slightly cautiously, she waves back, only shuffling a step or so closer.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ Nanoha leans forward and down a bit, hands on her knees. She has a good record with reticent children, and this is a momentary distraction from her own searching. ] Hello there. Are you looking for someone, too? [ It's best not to assume such a young child is wandering around unattended. ]

[agelostdoll]

[Asuka notices her a few times wandering around amongst the newbies, mostly concluding 'she's still there?' and 'crazy idiot', but when things are closing down for the night and the woman is practically swaying on her feet that she feels forced to intervene.

Because seriously. It's creepy.]

Oi. You're gonna pass out if you stick around there. Go find your apartment.

what are words? WE JUST DON'T KNOW

[guiding_starlight]

[ At that comment, Nanoha straightens up with a greater effort to compose herself. She is nothing if not stubborn. She even mentally chides herself for the slip. ] I appreciate the concern... [ A smile. ] But I'm used to being on my feet. [ Even if that meant considering leaning on something for aide. ]

DESCRIBE THEM TO ME

[agelostdoll]

So what you're gonna sleep standing up? Find a bed already.

[feetarestrange]

[American 1950's vintage fashion? Nami sure has no idea what any of that means. Humans and their need for clothes... Her criticisms aside, Nami kept noticing this girl in the same spot. Was she waiting for someone? She figured that had to be case, given the expression on her face.

Despite being brand new herself, maybe there was something she could do to help her out.]

Hey.

[She approaches her slowly, keeping it in the back of her mind that her appearance... might not be something that this girl had ever seen before.]

Are you alright?

[guiding_starlight]

Hm? [ It would be rude to stare but, really, can she be blamed for it? Nanoha has seen her share of familiars, but in all honesty she didn't encounter a lot of non-humanoid individuals in general. Not even in Mayfield. ]

Oh, um, yes. Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking. [ At least she knows she had been looking on far too long, and gives the woman an apologetic smile. ] I'm sorry. I'm still taking everything in about this place.

[feetarestrange]

You too, huh.

[Nami smiles back. It's not much, but maybe that'll help her feel better about it all.]

It's the same with me. It's the first time I've ever experienced something like this.

[a brief pause, as she observes the other woman.]

What's your name? I'm Nami.

[drank_the_milk]

[Huh. Sure is Nanoha over there, wearing the fashions of 1950s America. Unlike most of the other Mayfield refugees she's met in Saeng Seong by now, Yuna's 100% certain that this is the Nanoha she knew, so she wastes no time in walking over to her. She puts on a comforting smile as she waves her hand, hoping she can at least ease the transition for her just a little.]

Nanoha! Hey!

[guiding_starlight]

[ After her 50/50 shot so far of encountering those who knew her name, but not her as she was right now, she approaches her enthusiasm toward Yuna's appearance with a certain level of caution. She's still smiling, but there could be so much more there if she only trusted herself to do so. ] Yuna, hello. It's good to see you again.

[drank_the_milk]

Did you just get here? I guess you probably must have if you're still dressed in Mayfield clothes...

[acro_bat_ic]

[So, maybe Charlie should be staying away from the intense looking Japanese women standing around like they're waiting for a husband...

Mostly because they've all been kidnapped, and frankly Nanoha's behavior makes her worry that the woman's going to snap. She should be going quickly in the opposite direction.

...Unfortunately, she's been trying this new thing where she actually deals with people and doesn't run away from her problems; and also the intense woman is sort of cute. So, biting back her own building panic, she edges closer to the redhead.]

Are you looking for something?

[guiding_starlight]

[ Contrary to what her body language might be saying, Nanoha has no plans to bite anyone. Especially not anyone that looked remotely helpful. She acknowledge the girl's question with a small smile and a nod. ] Yes, actually. My family was with me before I was brought here, so I was hoping they would be just behind me upon arrival.

[ That was a few hours ago, though. Now she's just just stubbornly refusing to budge on the off chance they pop out of the ether. ]

[not_really_charlie]

Family? It's amazing how one word can turn curiosity, and maybe burgeoning flirtatiousness, into simple pity. Charlie hasn't really had a family since she was twelve.

'i'm pretty sure no one else is coming," she admitted, carefully. They'd kidnapped everyone they were going to, for this month.