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. 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 trio of desks, each with a sign and a person seated behind them -
Irene, General AssistanceDevin, Technological AssistanceMai, Medical AssistanceRen, General NuisanceHowever, before you can go over and give them a piece of their mind and ask for 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 three 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 the first of many new 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 at her desk today, or at the hospital in case of any future accidents.
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 bright summer day:
WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG
(ENJOY YOUR STAY!)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rekindlenpcs) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rekindleme2013-06-06 03:04 pm
no subject
"Thanks. I think I get it..."
Even if he doesn't entirely believe Ren, it makes enough sense for him to act on what he's been told.
"If I have any questions, I'll let one of you guys know."
no subject
And also to keep an eye on his sister. He'd heard stories about how volatile some off-worlders could be, and truth be told he was a little worried.
"And yeah, feel free to ask us anything! If you need a tour 'round town or something, I'm your guy. I know all kinds of cool places to go that might not be easy to find at first."
no subject
"I'll be sure to do that. It might come in handy."
Though he knows the touch-for-energy thing probably doesn't work with the natives of the city, he holds out his hand to shake. It's the polite thing to do, and he'll be damned if he's going to be rude to someone who at least acts nice.
"I'm Shinju, by the way."
no subject
"The name's Ren. I'm sorry the circumstances aren't better, but it's good to meet you."
There wouldn't be any energy generated by the handshake, but it still was good to go through the motions, he feels. It's not like the energy crisis makes them any less human. They're just in dire need of help, is all.
"So... I gotta ask. Your world. What's it like, if you don't mind me asking?"
no subject
Shinju can't help but be a bit surprised at the question about his home and takes a few moments to figure out how to describe it.
"It's nothing special, as far as I know... but looking around at the kind of people here, maybe it is." The young man shrugs, figuring giant robots and masked heroes might be common everywhere else. "Where I'm from, nobody believes in things like magic, but apparently it exists. I've figured out there's a lot I don't know, so I'm not sure I could tell you what it's really like."
no subject
He wonders about the disbelief in magic, though. Granted, magic wasn't the biggest influence in Saeng Seong either. It's through science that they've managed to bring their would-be saviors here. But he finds it hard not to believe in something that so clearly exists.
no subject
He isn't really in the mood to think too hard about all of it, anyway. He just wants some rest at this point.
"Thanks for the information. I think I'm going to try and get something to snack on and find my apartment," he sighs, glancing down at the envelope in his hand. "I guess I'll probably talk to you later, at some point."
no subject
no subject
Grocery shopping takes more thought and time than he's willing to spend right now.
"I think," or he hopes, rather, "I'll be alright. As long as there are signs, I can probably find it." He's planning to pull out that map as soon as he finishes eating and study it thoroughly.
Usually he's not very confident in his navigational skills, but since only two districts are open, it'll be easy to find, right? He can just follow the crowd.
no subject
And he thinks the people who were brought here are good people, too.
"Just ask 'em how to get to the Guest Apartments. It's really not that far, though. I think you'll be fine."
And then he grins. "Worst comes to, you get hopelessly lost, just ask someone to get Ren for you and I'll show you the way myself."
no subject
Bah, he can't focus on negative things or he'll never survive.
"I will," Shinju says, giving a smile in response to Ren's grin. "You should expect a call within the hour." A little humorous self-depreciation is always good for lightening up a situation.
no subject
"And, hey - you'll see me around. Even if you don't get lost."
Which is certainly true. Ren has a tendency to poke his nose in everything.
no subject
Their conversation was pleasant--as much as it could be, considering--but it's about time Shinju got some food and rest.