rekindleme | INTRO LOG

Entry tags:

INTRO LOG - AUGUST 2014

Who: Everyone
Where: The Welcome Center
When: 15th August, late afternoon
Summary: The new arrivals, freshly pulled from their worlds or others, awaken in a strange place...
Warnings: Inbox death may occur. System overload at own risk. NPC responses may be slow.

It's a shuddering breath, a sensation of being pulled to elsewhere and finding oneself pressed against something on the soft and some place cozy. However, before one can fully stir, there is and odd, warm stirring sensation that lifts you up from wherever you've been dropped, when you begin to drift off once more.

'I'm sorry for this... but we need your help.'

Yet the feeling -and the voice - pass quickly, and when you awaken, you begin to realize your surroundings. It's a small room with what some might recognize as a Far Eastern theme when it comes to decor, from the walls to the sofa (or bed) you find yourself on. Illumination is provided by carefully crafted lamps, and even a candle flickering on a nearby desk. The doors are made from paper and wood, with a thin frame; through them it's easy to hear other people stirring, talking, or coming to.

You are not alone...

On a small table beside you, there rests a note atop a manilla envelope. Unfolding the note will reveal some answers in the form of a letter addressed to all arrivals.

Welcome to Saeng Seong (it's pronounced sang see-oung if the name seems really strange)!

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. Though with the help of other new arrivals like yourself, the situation is beginning to seem less dim. If you are wondering how this is, allow me to explain.

One hundred years ago, there was a terrible incident known as the Unleashing; an event that sent our world into what would have been a slow and painful end were it not for the quick response of a few. However in the process, our own energies have been left to maintain what is causing this energy crisis. We do not have enough to push back this plague on our own.

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 first five 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 Andi in the lobby for help. It's what she's here for. If you need medical assistance, contact Mai, one of our doctors.

Again, welcome, and thank you for all your help. Please come downstairs to the lobby for refreshments. If you have any questions, there will be others downstairs to assist you.

Irene
Arrival Liaison

Inside the manilla envelope , 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 second letter folded neatly on the top--

Honoured Guest,

First of all, I would like to second my colleague's welcome to our city with my own. Many have come to this world whether by choice or by our actions, and for my own involvement I humbly ask your forgiveness for potentially pulling you from your homes and loved ones. However, it is as Irene's letter states. We are in an energy crisis, and only you and your fellow new arrivals can aide us.

One hundred one years have passed since the event known as the Unleashing tore a rift in our world with Saeng Seong at its core. Ever since, we have had no word from the outside... until recently.

During the celebration of the autumnal festival last year, we were visited by spirits who perished in the Unleashing and demons. This was to be expected as in our world, the boundaries betwixt the living world and the spiritual wane towards the final day of the festival. However, the events to follow were not. As winter and the very rare snowfalls began, so too did snowmen come alive as bid by a dark magic. Some mages who align themselves with a faction named Rangar saw fit to seize the opportunity for mayhem, and the city suffered for it. However, in this and the following hackings into our citywide network, we have come to learn that there are still others who live outside the walls. Yet they too cannot sustain the energy levels needed to close this rift once and for all.

New friend, I cannot understate our need nor the truth in Irene's letter to you, but there are some in this city you should not trust. Who you do or do not trust is up to your own judgment (even mine is albeit clouded at times), yet I urge you caution. Every side has their own agenda, and even our different factions may be splintered into different parties like the individuals that make them. Though should you ever find need to seek solace or sanctuary, the temple doors are always open.

Rhea,
High Priestess to the Four
Arrival Liason

Odd... Neither were written in your own language, and yet you find it easily understandable. Soon enough, if you don't make an exit on your own, there's a gentle knocking on the door as someone comes from downstairs to usher you along.

"Welcome to Saeng Seong! I know you must be confused or upset as to what's going on, but we promise to explain ourselves further once you've had a chance to stretch your legs!"

Whether you go downstairs immediately or linger a little longer, eventually you must come on down to leave the small space, 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 cool and relieving food and drink, including some you probably aren't familiar with. It's just as well they're in good supply, as the windows outside show a city well heated from a summer sun.

On the wall opposite are a pair of desks, each with a sign, and one person at her station-

Rhea, General Assistance
Andi, Technological Assistance

The plaques have a shiny semi-new look to them, as do the desks. Both lovely ladies seem eager to assist you, though one more.... self-contained than the one bouncing in their seat with anticipation.

Outside, and through the translucent glass you can see a banner hanging from the tiled roof of the building across the street. The cheerful colors on it match well against a bright blue sky:

WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG
(ENJOY YOUR STAY!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A female voice reaches the young-looking man from nearby, sounding almost amused but otherwise calm.

"I take it you aren't as pleased with your arrival as they'd like you to be."

The source of the voice--a ratlike woman wearing a red coat and hat--stands just to the side of him, arms folded and spear strapped to her back just in case. With the conflicts going on in the city lately... well, she doesn't know if there's the possibility of a fight or not, and if there are any newcomers who cannot defend themselves in that case, she intends to help. Although she wasn't pleased by her own arrival, she's even less pleased by the fact that newcomers might be drawn into the conflict that's been recently brought to light.

Her voice becomes a little more serious as she continues.

"I'm not certain how much this will help your mood, but you are not in the minority in that."

Noel starts, having failed to notice his company. It's strange - normally he should've picked up on it. Perhaps his senses aren't as sharp as they ought to be. Or maybe the change of environs is simply that jarring.

In any case, he turns his attention to the source of that voice, only to start again. He's seen a great many things in the span of five hundred some years of his life, but Noel can't claim to have met a woman with these particular features.

Quick to mentally shake this off, he folds his arms.

"Good to know," is the first response he comes up with, though his tone suggests neither displeasure nor satisfaction at the fact. It would make sense that others aren't obliged to enjoy being brought here, if his experience is anything like that of others. Places to go, things to address. "I don't plan on staying here long enough to confirm that, though."

"Very few of us did," she replies, folding one arm and bringing the opposite hand to her chin. "Unfortunately we are not in control of the time when we depart, and those who are are difficult to reach."

Freya knows it's a bitter potion to swallow, and she doesn't intend to encourage anyone to give up on attempting to speed up the process, but she knows the reality of the situation, and it's best to give the truth whenever possible.

"They have promised to send us back to the exact moment and location once they no longer require our presence, however, and I know of a few who were returned home and retrieved again who have confirmed that to be true."

Noel weighs this information in silence. He doesn't know this woman, nor can he think of a reason for her to relate any of this to him were it false. Though he's been up an down the timeline, the gates are closed. Returning to any past instance isn't possible - not by any means he's aware of.

How could it be possible then, for anyone to leave this place and find no time had passed at all?

Idly, he shifts his weight, turning this about in his mind. It's too strange, all of it is. But Noel realizes he can't focus on that. And like any good hunter, he really ought to be finding out as much as possible about what he's up against. "By 'they', I'm guessing you mean the people behind things like that?"

He points up to the cheery banner waving overhead.

A wry chuckle leaves the dragon knight when her eyes reach the banner, hanging as hospitable as ever. She has to shake her head a bit; after being taken from their own worlds so suddenly and having so much information thrust upon them, she knows that many don't take the attempt at a friendly atmosphere very well.

"Yes, in a broader sense. The ones who've organized this center's monthly event do try their best to make us feel welcome," she says.

She can tell Noel has a lot on his mind, but it's to be expected. It would be surprising to find someone who takes this all in stride.

"I can try to answer any questions you might have if I can, either now or later; I know it's a lot to take in all at once."

"Monthly event..." Noel can't help repeating the words, incredulous. The idea that this happens on a routine basis hadn't yet occurred to him, though it makes sense. They're rather well-prepared, and mentioned others having been brought for the same purpose. And he can only guess how many times this process has repeated itself...

He shakes his head, as though to dispel the fog these thoughts bring with them. Since she's offered information, he ought to stay on track. See what there is to learn, if anything.

"You've said people have left before. Sent back. Has anyone gotten out of this place on their own?" Because it seems to Noel that this would be a priority for anyone with business back home. And he sincerely doubts that he's the only one with something left unfinished.

Given that he's speaking to one of said people with unfinished business, that's a pretty good assumption. However, she has to shake her head no.

"Not that any of us have heard of. Those who have left and returned have mentioned nothing of the sort, and even if there were those who escaped and stayed away, I doubt we would be told."

Best to let the otherworlders think they couldn't leave under their own power, or everyone would be trying to do it.

"Those in charge have not been inhospitable, but they have not been entire forthright with us, either. It's difficult to tell what they might be hiding."

For a few moments, Noel doesn't comment on what she's told him. He simply turns the information about in his mind, evaluating it. These things don't seem all that foreign to him, even though the surroundings certainly are. All except the inability to leave, that is. "Organizations in power get that way, in my experience."

After a pause, however, he realizes he has to amend. "...Most of them."

Still, the fact that there are no stories of any sort about people successfully leaving is strange. Usually there'd be at least one example, whether true or fabricated.

"How are they able to confine people here? I noticed more than a few with weapons," a pause as he nods to the one the woman has, "and I doubt I'm the only one who can use spells."

Freya nods in understanding. She knows how power can change people, change nations. She has to be a little grateful the most the leaders here appear to have done here is take them from their homes and hide things from them.

"Unfortunately, not many of us are capable of crossing to other worlds on our own," she explains, "and the miasma that causes the energy drain on this world prevents us from leaving Saeng Seong for very long without dangerous effects. It's only the open districts of the city that appear to be stable enough for us to stay longer than a day without becoming exhausted."

She decides not to mention the other group that lives outside the city walls yet--they're a bit more complicated. She's still not really sure how they manage to survive, except that it must be some specialized magic.

"Threats are also largely ineffective, thanks to the fact that the ones directly in charge of the technology that brings us here have hidden themselves away, as well."

"So they drag us here, tell us what to do...and then hide from us." Noel doesn't sound terribly surprised as he sums up what he's heard. If anything it falls in-line with the sort of nonsense he expects from anybody with a little too much power on their hands. Granted, he's never known of any organization that could claim to summon people from other worlds. The Coliseum was sort of like that, but not really.

Those were more like echoes of the actual people being conjured.

He shifts his weight where he stands, giving their surroundings a speculative glance. It's neither the first nor likely the last. "Miasma though... It sounds a lot like something back home. Except there, monsters leap out at you instead."

"Essentially," she agrees. "I understand their urgency in bringing and keeping us here, even if I dislike their methods. I can only imagine the lengths one might go to to save one's world..."

She can see that there's some desperation there, certainly, at least in some of the native people of this world. But the way he speaks of a phenomenon back in his own home... it reminds her of Gaia.

"The Mist of world is a similar phenomenon, spawning monsters. Unlike this place, however, some have learned to harness its power for transportation. It doesn't have immediate adverse effects like the miasma here, thankfully."

Noel tries to imagine anybody doing something productive with the Chaos that's flooded the world. But nothing quite enters his imagination; not when the stuff has destroyed most of Pulse and made it into...well, a place he couldn't have recognized centuries ago.

Maybe Hope could've, if things had ever stabilized.

His thoughts only drift that far for a moment, however. "Sounds like something positive came of it, at least." Unlike Nova Chrysalia. Unlike this place. And as much seems a good thing - not every place is mired in some lethal dark force.

Granted, he doesn't know if he accepts his circumstances at present.

"Shame they never considered asking somehow. If someone can drag us here, I'd think they could communicate. Probably some people'd be willing and able to lend a hand - if asked."

"Yes, but only after a thousand years of its presence. Still, I suppose it is better than never."

She has to wonder how many worlds are under the influence of such detrimental forces, and if they may all be harnessed in a way that isn't risky. If the people of this city could find a way to use it to produce energy...

Well, she supposes harnessing the miasma is what forced many of the Rangar to reside outside the safety of the city. Even when something positive is found in things previously feared, that fear is hard to erase.

Freya sighs at his comment, however.

"I agree. However, it seems that they aren't fond of knowledge of this world existing in others. I have begun to worry lately about that--they appear to remove memories of this place when we are returned to our homes."

Noel almost comments on that span of time, but he refrains. It's been five hundred years and the world's about done - would it be different if they had a thousand? Would there be something left to save anymore? While it's impossible to know, he can't help but wonder.

Though he hasn't long to ponder that. Her next words make him tense up all over again, eyes narrowing slightly as he assesses whether he actually heard that right.

But this woman's voice and speech are clear - there's no mistaking it.

"How could they remove memories..?" He begins to ask, then halts himself. Maybe it's incredibly simple, when he thinks on his own experiences. If it works the same that is. "...It could be like a paradox. We're taken from where and when we belong, and when that's corrected, so is everything surrounding it."

Though after a pause, he adds, "Although that still wouldn't explain how the rest of this works, or why anyone here is capable of it."

Freya shakes her head--she frankly has no idea how it's done, but she thinks that the technology they use to bring people here might have something to do with it. Still, the knight is open to new ideas, and folds her arms as she tries to work through what he might mean by paradoxes.

"I cannot say I have ever encountered such selective amnesia before I came to this place," she says. "But you think that our memory loss may be the result of... the 'mistake' of our arrival here being amended?"

She isn't very familiar with the sorts of time-related shenanigans Noel is well-versed in, but she thinks of the friend of hers who'd met someone from his future here, returned to his world, and then arrived again from the same period of time as that someone. If he'd remembered all of his time here, so much of his future would have been different...

She supposes 'paradox' is as good a term as any to describe that sort of thing.

"Their method of bringing us here is as mysterious as the ways they gather the energy generated by our contact," she laments.

"Have to say, I'm still not getting how touch is supposed to do anything," Noel has no problems admitting that. If anything, it seems highly suspect to him that such a thing could be said to generate energy. Unless there's something strange going on with mana here, he really can't figure out what good it really does. And that being the case, he's got his doubts.

Perhaps there's another reason they're simply not being told. From what he's gathering, there isn't any shortage of things they're not being told about the circumstances.

Something he can ponder later, he supposes. "But I think if people really forget, that'd be one reason why. If you make a change in time, then the timeline corrects itself. Otherwise, you'd just have a never-ending chain of phenomenon that didn't match up."

She considers the thought of paradoxes and timelines correcting themselves only a few moments longer--she doesn't think there's much she can do about it if it's something inherent to time itself. That's far, far above her skill set. But as much as it can, it makes sense to her.

"I understand your incredulity," Freya says. "The idea still seems strange whenever I consider it, but they have slowly been regaining enough energy to open a few of the districts over the time that I've been here. I'm not certain what reason they'd have to lie about it."

The knight ponders over it a moment more before she realizes something, and she unfolds her arms and turns to directly face Noel with a more friendly posture.

"My apologies--I have not yet introduced myself. I am Freya Crescent."

She holds out a long-fingered hand to shake. If Noel wants to test the idea of touch giving energy, he can certainly do it now.

He looks first at her hand, attention prompted simply by the motion in his direction. Then his gaze returns to her face. For a long moment, it seems as though Noel isn't entirely sure what to do with himself. And it may be that he really isn't, for that short span.

And then he seems to remember himself, reaching out to grasp her hand. "Noel Kreiss," is his reply. Short and rather simple, but he's simply giving his name in return.

Had she not introduced herself, he'd think nothing of it. After all, they're strangers in a strange place. Having provided as much information as she has, however - whether real or false - it is good to have a name to associate with it. With her.

He lets go after shaking her hand, once again taking in their surroundings as though they may have changed. "In my experience, it usually doesn't make sense to lie. But the bigger and more powerful the group, the more easily they deceive others, if not themselves."

Freya meets the handshake and the offer of his name with a small smile that's a little more sincere than just straight politeness.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Noel."

Although aware of the disagreeable circumstances, the knight is glad to meet a new friendly face. She takes what cheer she can get between the more serious issues.

"They have certainly lied about other things to keep the local populace content, if the rebel group is to be believed," she remarks. "But I do believe them regarding contact. I have felt its effects myself in a few different ways."

"Nice meeting you," Noel says in return. The words feel somewhat foreign to him, finding himself rather unaccustomed to saying them. Nevertheless, she's been willing to answer his questions and talk to him about these circumstances. He's fortunate for that much, in a place like this...whatever its nature is.

All he's entirely certain of is that it's strange. If any faction is in the right, he couldn't say one way or the other. Maybe others couldn't either, but it's something he'll figure out for himself in time.

If he's in this place that long, anyhow.

"What do you mean by effects?"

[ooc: Sorry this is late, thought I'd replied]

"When I first arrived, I was not in the best state, and for some reason I found I could not use magic as I normally could," she begins. "Soon after I shook a few hands, however, I was able to heal myself."

It makes her think of home briefly--of the terrible conflict she left behind--but there is really no point to thinking about it now. She simply takes a breath and returns to the topic at hand.

"Contact maintains and restores our energy and control of our abilities, and the lack of it allows the miasma to sap it from us."

"So even when parts of this city are 'clear', we're still affected." Noel summarizes, in part to be sure that he understood that correctly. On top of that, he's pretty sure that if it is how things are, he's going to take a while to convince himself of it. This place doesn't sound like anything he's known, either personally or in any legend.

And his grandmother had told him no small number of those.

He puffs out a sigh, and shakes his head. "Sounds pretty inconvenient, if it impacts abilities on top of the rest."

"That's correct. There are nearly always newcomers who ignore the warnings and become quite ill over time, unfortunately, so you may witness it at some point."

Freya's always been one to be cautious; she's determined, but not exactly stubborn when it comes to her health--not when she has things to return to. It's better to do what they suggest to stay well than to take the risk of becoming ill and being unprepared should anything happen.

"The effects are not immediate, at least," she says, trying to be a bit more reassuring than the topic has been so far. "They do not occur until a week or two has passed with little or no contact."

"Hard to imagine something like that," Noel admits, finding a given unease in the notion. Where he's come from, he's avoided having much direct contact with anyone. There was too much personal baggage on his part, and why get too close to anyone when most he grew to care for died or simply vanished as though they'd never existed at all?

Tactile gestures, while common for Noel, had most often been shared with people he knew. People he valued.

It only serves to make these circumstances all the stranger for him. "What do you do, if someone's ailing because of it?"

"I tend to offer to sit next to them a while. Relief does not come immediately for more severe sickness, unfortunately."

It's worked fairly well for those she's encountered so far, to her knowledge. Whenever she considers the idea for more than a few minutes, it always reminds her of how strange this all is and how strange it is that she's gotten used to it.

There are worse things to get used to, she supposes, and she has to admit that it's brought her closer to those she considers friends in this city, where previously she was not quite so physical in her affection. Before she'd arrived here, it had been some time since she'd even considered it, considering Fratley's disappearance...

INTRO LOG - AUGUST 2014

DRAGOON(ish) BUDDY

FREYA <3

:D

darn exciting to see her in play /o/

aw gosh i hope i meet your expectations. i'm excited for noel too!

looking dandy from what i see. pretty new at noel, but i'll do my best /o/

you'll do great!

thanks!

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it's fine! :>

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