rekindleme | INTRO LOG

INTRO LOG - AUGUST 2013

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!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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. ]

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

[ Now her look takes on a far more somber note. ] If that's what it takes to be here in case they arrive, then yes.

[...well, fine, you want to be batshit, at least she tried]

Then you can greet them with a corpse.

[ That was morbid... ] That wouldn't happen from a bit of sleep lost.

People don't show in drips and drabs here. If the person you're looking for isn't here yet they won't be for a while. If at all.

You sound certain of that. What's your experience with arrivals, here? [ Where is her proof? ]

I arrived with the first wave. This is the third.

Hell, for all you know they're already here and you're standing around like a moron because you never asked about them yet.

[ Nanoha touches a hand to the necklace she wore. ] If that was the case, then we would know.

[ . . . ] How far apart are these waves?

[that still sounds creepy]

One month, thus far.

Three months... [ That's a little over how long Nanoha stayed in Mayfield. In a place like that, though, it felt like it was much longer. Too long. ]

How many groups were there before yours? You don't have to be exact. I would just like to know how long they have been bringing others here.

There weren't any; like I said, first wave. Three months is how long they've been operating this stupid scam.

[Asuka? Cynical? Naaaah]

Who are you even waiting for?

[ —ah, that just shows that Nanoha really was losing focus. She checked the time on her wristwatch... but there's no way that it was near 3PM. She'll have to re-set it. ]

My family. [ Nanoha delivers that calmly, but there is a strain visible in her expression as she continues to explain. ] I know that waiting might defy expectations, but they have a way of doing that, and I would rather see them safely arrive here, than... [ Than stay where they were now, "safe and sound" according to Rin? Selfish. ]

[she'd figured it would be something like that]

...Look, to be blunt, you don't have any control or say over that. Doesn't it make more sense to find a way back than sit around blindly hoping they'll follow along?

That is why it is called "waiting". [ But even if she has to make that distinction, the girl has a point. Nanoha turns to face her fully, adopting a somber expression. ] I just thought I would give this place a chance to reunite us first, because it seems safer here than where they were left.

[ She takes a breath to steady herself. This is the look of a woman determined to find a way. Or: ] I will make my way to them, in time.

[...she sighs, running a hand through her hair]

I still wouldn't trust it... still, I can't blame you.

You guys must have been close, huh?

[ Her expression and her voice cannot fully convey how deeply she cares for them, but the attempt is made. ] They are my most cherished loved ones.

[ Yes, Nanoha has many important people in her life; individuals without whom she would have grown up an ordinary child, slightly depressed and with a lack of initiative and direction. The list would be too long to go down, and making a distinction like this is not typical of her, but... she's feeling rather emotional over the whole thing.

It actually strikes her as odd that the girl would even ask that. As if family should be anything other than "close". She files that away for now. ]

[to be honest, Asuka hasn't really had a family in her maelstrom of a life. Misato came close... once. And that was a long time ago. She's Captain Katsuragi now.

If it could be claimed she had attachments to anyone it would be the crew. The survivors. The ex-NERV staff who'd turned traitor on their own organisation. They'd fought bitterly alongside each other for 14 years and more; no-one could understand each other better. No-one else could match their shared joys and sorrows.

...And then there was Mari who had even more in common, but We Don't Talk About Mari.

Still, as an Evangelion pilot - one of the two remaining not actually trying to get humanity killed - she knew the weight of her own life. The absolute adoration and care this woman held was... frankly?

Scary. Creepy. Crazy.

You had to take of yourself. You had to trust your friends to take care of themselves. Everyone had to survive as best they could. That was how the world worked. Sacrificing things for other people... everyone had found the hard way what that lead to. It was just plain unhealthy.

Asuka can only sigh.]

Well, they aren't here. You're going to have to life with it.

Edited 2013-08-20 22:52 (UTC)

[ Nanoha can readily think of two reasons why someone would say it like that. The first being that they are being unkind; rubbing salt in an already fresh wound. Fortunately for the girl, Nanoha is all about giving people the benefit of the doubt — sometimes above and beyond what they might deserve.

That leaves her with the second-most likely option: ] I'm certain that everyone has at least one person that they miss dearly.

[ The woman is wearing the most patient expression, but it's also sort of sad. Not just for herself. ]

[from Asuka, it's more of a warning. Advice. This woman feels like to love too much, to operate on faith and optimism; to trust that, no matter they do, things will be okay. Because they tried.

And that's dangerous.]

I suppose. I need to get back home myself; if you're interested on that front, I can help you. But I can't afford to say here personally.

[ If Nanoha did not have such a good track record with pushing herself to the limit to achieve results, and then gaining those results, then maybe she wouldn't be presenting her reunion with her loved ones as an eventuality. Though even that isn't right. It isn't that she will just sit around and hope and wait for things to work out.

No, Her wording was specific. "I will make my way to them." ]

Our situation is similar enough, when you get right down to it. [ Her duty back home was important, too, but she is not of the same mindset that she used to be about her rush to get there. Her loved ones come first. ] Working together is the best option.

[ She extends her hand. ] My name is Nanoha. Nanoha Takamachi.

[That's actually what she's afraid of, to be honest. If someone is determined to achieve something, no matter what... then to what cost will be they be willing to go to get it?

Asuka nods, taking the hand]

Asuka Langley Shikinami. I've been generally trying to organise things 'round here.

[ The girl finds her hand met with a firm, if slightly shaky, grip. ] Nice to meet you, Shikinami. [ A more formal address is given here, since for now it seemed that it would be best to approach this as a professional acquaintance and not become overly familiar too soon. A bit of added respect despite the (physical) difference in age. ]

How well has that been going for you? [ She said "trying to", after all... ]

[Asuka just sighs wearily]

It's a mess. Most of the people pulled here are civilian, and with no trustworthy information at this stage it's difficult to make a move. I'd prefer not to damage relations with the locals too severely but the official explanations are so full of holes they wouldn't even be worth it as toilet paper. Whatever action we take first is going to set the precedent, so I'd like to be careful.

Politics... isn't my thing.

[ Nanoha took all that in and gave Asuka a knowing look. She sounded almost as tired as Nanoha felt. At least, tired of being jerked around. ]

Soldiers rarely enjoy politics, but diplomacy always has a place. [ Taking a wild shot at what Asuka had inferred with her statement. ]

what are words? WE JUST DON'T KNOW

DESCRIBE THEM TO ME

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