INTRO LOG - SEPTEMBER 2013

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone Where: The Welcome Plaza When: 18th September, 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 a 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 two 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

[erasponsible]

[Inconvenient.

Despite all the ushering and warm welcoming, there is at least one girl amongst the crowd who clearly isn't very interested in what anyone around her has to say. Homura had the piece of mind to inspect the folder to provide her some insight, rather than time listening to people who clearly did not understand that their problems were not her problems, no more than her problem was anyone else's.

Occasionally, dark-haired, violet-hued and dressed politely in a school uniform, Homura can be found silently weaving between the crowd of lost individuals. She almost looks confident enough to know where she is going, even if she truly has no idea.

She would determine who had joined her in this strange city (if anyone), and then begin taking steps to remove herself from it. Subconsciously, she twirls the ring around her middle finger and locks eyes with the first person who stares at her for more than two seconds, staring both coldly and expectantly.]

Yes?

[cruxified]

[Kratos peers down at the girl. His eyes move to her hand, glancing over the ring she keeps playing with, then back to her eyes. Truth be told, he was staring because he couldn't figure out what was wrong with her mana signature. However, he doesn't let that kind of information slip so easily.]

You seem lost.

[He may or may not be offering help. She seems capable, but he knows how deceiving looks can be.]

[erasponsible]

[Homura doesn't follow his gaze. Its easy enough to tell what he's looking at, but she's willing to bet that he doesn't know how important that ring is -- or even what it is, aside from a ring.

She contemplates her answer, for long enough that she might be mistaken for mute otherwise. His wording was peculiar, and incredibly ironic. So, she provides a simple:]

Yes, I suppose I am.

[cruxified]

If you're searching for a way home, you won't find one. Not yet. [He crosses his arms. The shiny blue gem set in the back of his hand is visible.] I was brought here a few months ago, much like yourself, and very little has changed about our situation.

[erasponsible]

[For the moment, she keeps her eyes on his. After all, Homura doesn't know nearly enough about this place or its inhabitants to trust anything on a whim -- not when she still has a job to do.

After living the same month over and over again, its very strange and disorienting not knowing what's going on around her.]

I work faster than most. I will find a way.

[She shrugs and tosses her head just enough to get her hair off her shoulders before allowing one eyebrow to raise.]

Have we truly been kidnapped, then?

[ichoosefight]

[ The cold response is not the one Steph was expecting when she glanced the girl's way, and although she must be a good five years older she's ashamed to have flinched at the sudden stare. ]

Uh, nothing. Nothing at all. Are you, um, lost?

[erasponsible]

[It's been a while since she'd spoken at length with a woman older than her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she notes the flinch and turns to gracefully close the distance. Even if she doesn't want to be here, she must first figure out what's going on.

If this woman wanted to give her information, she wouldn't say no. She stops a few feet away from Stephanie, in the middle of folding the information from the envelope to slip in a pocket of her skirt.]

Not entirely.

[ichoosefight]

But a little lost. [ That's a weird way to put it. ] Which means you don't actually know where you're going.

[guiding_starlight]

Hello. [ Nanoha had not expected such an unflappable stare from a girl so young. She had many reasons to be vaguely familiar with Homura, but there was no direct contact prior to now so she doesn't see the reason to let it out. Instead, Nanoha presents herself as a stranger, dressed warmly and hopefully hiding her weariness and anxiety behind a welcoming smile.

After a brief pause, the woman takes a step closer, hands clasped before her. ] You seem to be looking for something. [ An easy guess to make, as finding someone or some way out is a common first reaction to being kidnapped; whether back at Mayfield or here, it doesn't make much difference. Nanoha was in the same situation twice-over now. Only this time... she seemed to have forgotten to take off her apron before leaving her room. Welp. ]

[erasponsible]

[Nanoha's presence and greeting catches her attention for a few reasons, though it was her confident approach that seemed to encourage Homura to pause and continue the conversation. Everyone had been pretty quick to get out of her way thusfar -- maybe she knows something.

Or, perhaps, has seen someone looking for her. Either way, she won't truthfully answer the unasked question -- confidence or not, she doesn't know this woman. Even that isn't enough to spare Nanoha from Homura's almost accusatory tone.]

Is it custom to simply accept one's kidnapping?

[guiding_starlight]

[ That was surprising, and it shows. If the girl wants to cut past pleasantries and a segue to an offer of assistance, and move straight to business, Nanoha supposes she'll have to keep up. She smooths out her expression. ]

Adapting to the situation is a possible comfort to some. Though I know several here who are quite eager to get back to their own worlds, and I am among them.

[smallspot]

You have pretty hair, Lady!

[The young dark-haired boy doesn't seem all that bothered by her stare. Either that or he is just too distracted by being caught watching her to notice. Instead, Diarmuid just ducks his head and blushes slightly.]

Are you new? You don't look like it, but this is where the new people arrive! My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. What's yours?

[erasponsible]

Thank you.

[She gets that a lot, and its perhaps the reason she doesn't react to the compliment at all other than that small acknowledgement. This was a child.

She had forgotten what it was like. With that in mind, she doesn't bother to answer the first question.]

Akemi Homura. It is nice to meet you.

[Sure doesn't sound like it.]

[smallspot]

[The tone does catch Diarmuid's attention though it takes a few moments of thought for the boy figure out why exactly. When he does, his happy expression fades a little.]

Are you angry about being here, Lady Homura? Would it help to know that times stops in your world when you are away so you won't miss anything and everyone you care about will be safe?

[fixated]

[ Jack was simply taking a glance over the guests, waiting to see who (if anyone) might have arrived from his world. Therefore, it is with great disappointment that he stared at Homura for more then those two gracious seconds and after her charming inquiry, he simply shook his head. ]

My apologies, I was hoping to find someone else here but it looks like she's still just as fickle as ever. [ he almost chuckled but instead he gave Homura a shallow bow. ] I am Jack Vessalius, by the way. Is there perhaps some question or another I could answer since we're getting acquainted?

[erasponsible]

[Homura does not bow in return. Not yet. But that doesn't mean she'll forsake all of her manners.]

Akemi Homura. It is good to meet you.

[Answer a question? It was true, she did have a few questions. Perhaps not for this man. Instead, she tilts her head.]

What does she look like? The girl you are looking for.

I bet homura likes mermaids

[feetarestrange]

Nothing, just having a look at all the new arrivals.

[Though she hasn't particularly seen this one before, she doesn't want to automatically assume, especially since she's still pretty new herself.]

Did you get here just now?

she's had quite enough of mermaids for one timeline

[erasponsible]

Yes.

[Homura's stony expression seems to light up just a little in surprise when she finally gives Nami a once-over. A mermaid...?]

[feetarestrange]

[Yes, that sure is a mermaid!]

Are you alright? Do you need a hand with anything?

[beforetights]

[Cu Chulainn shrinks away under the girl's cold gaze.]

Oh, I was just looking around. Are you one of the new people, lady?

[erasponsible]

[Another child. She's surrounded.]

Yes, I have just arrived.

[beforetights]

[He nods.]

Okay, do you need to know where everything is, then? I can help you with that.

[dontthesunlookgoodtoday]

[his wings twitch, but he lifts his chin, keeping his gaze steady.]

Just thinking. Didn't think I'd seen you around before.

[erasponsible]

[Davesprite is the second person who's gotten a stare out of her that isn't completely unflappable. His appearance causes her to blink in surprise and then narrow slightly in suspicion.

He's not a familiar. That's all that really matters, isn't it? She's certainly seen stranger.]

You haven't.

[dontthesunlookgoodtoday]

Just got here, huh? You got the spiel about what we're supposed to be doing?