Perhaps you felt a rumble beneath your feet, a sensation of what you were standing upon giving way underneath you as something
pulled you in and away from what it was you were doing. Or, perhaps it was simply a gentle tap on your shoulder before you had the same tugging sensation from behind your navel. No matter which it was; there is one other constant:
lp...A quiet rustle of the wind, wherever it is coming from as it hits your face.
help... u...The earth grumbling beneath you resounds with something unintelligible. Of course; it's the earth. Dirt can't speak, after all. Yet it won't stop, nor does the wind. All you wanted to do was sleep...
Yet suddenly it stops, and as you begin to stir, you begin to feel the crisp wind still seems to be picking up, yet as it settles, it's almost as if it whispers something to your ear.
'elp... u... sh....Before you can make sense of it, it is gone; 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 mosaic - 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 this windstorm!"
Whether you go inside immediately or linger outside a little longer, eventually you must come in from the slight autumn chill, and sooner rather than later would probably be better. ...What
was that shadow from the corner of your vision?
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 AssistanceDevin, Technological AssistanceMai, Medical AssistanceUnlike 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 four districts in the south and west parts 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 newest and brightest doctors.
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!)![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rekindlemods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rekindleme2013-10-18 07:17 pm
Gah sorry this too so long
Junpei jumped, not expecting to hear a reply to his outburst, an especially from a voice he recognized so clearly, dropping his new keys in the process. Turning around, he stood face to face with--
"S-shinjiro-senpai?!"
He was still in the hospital! How was he walking around in the middle of this weird town?!
"A-are you alright?! Did they grab you too?"
Did it turn out all of SEES had been kidnapped for this?
no worries!
"Is it just you?" Which sounds more unkind than it's meant to be.
Re: no worries!
Oh, he saw them alright, and it made him swallow his words down. Shit, those bullet marks hit too close to home in a lot of uncomfortable ways. So they were willing to pull a recovering dude out of the hospital to bring here?
But Shinjiro's question got him right on track, and he looked around.
"F-fuuka was with me; we were just walkin' back from the Shrine, and then I blacked out, sorta. I haven't seen her yet, though..."
God, she would've completely freaked if he just disappeared in front of her, yet at the same time he didn't want her kidnapped too...!
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He hadn't seen Fuuka, so it was likely they only took Junpei this time.
"If you're gonna pass out again, put your hand on my shoulder."
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He waved off his senpai's concern, though he did still feel sort of woozy. It hadn't even clicked with him about the whole 'touching' thing yet, or that his senpai was probably trying to help him out that way without needing to be overt. He just thought Shinjiro didn't want him to lose his balance.
"Man, you're so calm about this! Doesn't this freak you out at all?"
He also hadn't clued in that Shinjiro had arrived before him; thinking it was just the two of them and that Shinjiro was just being his amazingly stoic self, again. Seems that even taking two to the chest wouldn't break his senpai...
"I mean, we're both used to weird stuff and shit, but still..."
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"Arisato and Aki are here." Shinjiro answered questions, just not directly all of the time.
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Sighing deeply, Junpei started to follow his upper-classmen, figuring he knew where he was going or... would figure it out eventually. He was completely out of his element, and was still feeling pretty crappy, but maybe if they talked a bit (if Shinjiro-senpai would be willing to), they could figure out a plan or something.
He didn't get even three steps before Shinjiro's next comment caught him completely off guard, eyes going wide as his colour drained from his face.
Arisato. He'd said Arisato. A-as in...
"...W-what...?"
No... no, that was impossible...! He was hearing things, right?
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This is the first time that Shinjiro is on the 'welcoming' end of things when it comes to new arrivals in this city. His initial reactions and Junpei's are very different, but then Shinjiro arrived in not the best of shape.
He looks back to make sure Junpei is still following, his junior's reaction a bit confusing. Iori looked pale and even more distraught now. Shouldn't he be happy that he's not alone here?
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Junpei hadn't moved from his spot, before he suddenly laughed, finally realising what was going on.
"O-oh, I get it! I gotta be dreamin'! That's why you're outta the hospital and Minako's still alive and we're in this weird place! I guess it would make sense to dream 'bout this... it's nicer than most my dreams, lately..."
Now, the question was, did he want to pinch himself to wake up? He was... what was that called, 'lucid dreaming'? He could have fun this way! W-well, as fun as it could be to possibly see your best friend and then remember she isn't actually alive anymore... ugh.
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"Pinch yourself. This isn't a dream."
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Fuuka's voice rose above the voices of the crowd, and she maneuvered through them to reach her friend. She had almost given up hope that he had been taken with her. A terrible thing to hope for, she knew, but knowing she wouldn't be alone in this world overcame her guilt. Her expression was filled with relief, and she quickly took hold of his arm.
"I wasn't sure if you--" She cut herself off, her eyes falling onto Shinjiro. Staring at him a moment, she reached out her other hand, grasping his. "S-Shinjiro-senpai...! How did...I thought you were in the hospital?"
Squeezing his hand, she looked him over, shocked to see him in such good health. The holes in his jacket made her heart lurch, and she had to steady herself. Looking back at Junpei, who's arm she still held, she gave him an inquisitive look.
"...have you seen anyone else?"
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Shinjiro did too, but he wouldn't admit it openly.
Perhaps there would be strength in numbers.
He lets her hold his hand; not something he would let just anybody do, even around here where touch is needed. They must be just as surprised as he is that he's alive and well. "Kicked me out." Because he was recovering, of course. "Aki and Arisato are around." He repeated for Fuuka, her having just joined them.
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But he was torn from his thoughts by a cry of his name in a voice that was familiar in the best of ways. Turning back, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief-- guilty relief, but relief none the less-- as Fuuka made her way to him, grabbing his arm. A odd warmth spread through him, comforting and shooing away that uneasy sickness he had before.
"S-so you got dragged here too, Fuuka? Man, I'm glad ya found us..."
Looking back at Shinjiro, his senpai repeated the same to her as him before. He'd felt Fuuka's hand on his arm... and Shinjiro wouldn't lie about something like this. But... how...?
"...S-so Minako is really here...? A-and Akihiko-senpai too..."
His own free hand went to rest on Fuuka's, hoping she'd react better than he did. He still wanted to pinch himself, but had a feeling it would make no difference.
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"...Minako...she's...she's alive?" Tears began to build in her eyes, and she moved closer to him, pulling Junpei with her unknowningly. "A-are you sure? Where is she? When did she come here? Is this where she went after...after everything?"
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Shinjiro can feel a bit of warmth as well; he hasn't had much contact that day, so the act of Fuuka holding his hand is remedying that to an extent. In any other case, he might tug his hands away from her.
"We're going to the apartments." He announces, starting to walk forward. It's up to them if they want to hang around and follow.
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Junpei glanced back at Fuuka, his own expression unsure. Minako had died- gone into a coma, never came out of it and passed on pretty suddenly; it was partly for that reasons Shinjiro had gone back to the hospital; the whole event had been pretty taxing on him, even if he'd never say it out loud. But Shinjiro didn't seem to believe them at all. Was he from before her death? But those bullet holes...
"Uh..."
Did Fuuka want to go now? Junpei didn't have his coat still, but that was fine; Pepper needed it more than him right now. Either way, he'd follow her lead.
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She gently let her hands slip from both Shinjiro's and Junpei's hands, feeling them lose all the warmth they had had mere seconds before. It was very curious, and she would have to test this out later. But now her mind was full of seeing her dear friend, Minako, again. Glancing back at Junpei, she thought of a dozen questions to ask, to see if he felt the same as her. She remained silent, however, staying close behind Shinjiro.
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It is now that he remembers Minato, the male version of Minako that had arrived in Saeng Seong about the same time he did. Not only were people brought here from different points in time, but also differences in those timelines. Maybe in their world, Minako had passed away and Shinjiro was still hospitalized. That thought brought him some stability.
He looks back at both of them. "What?"
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His thoughts were cut short as Shinjiro spoke up again, looking back at them. Junpei rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away from his senpai's piercing stare.
"Ah, it's just... a lot to take in, y'know? A lot of questions buzzin' around! But uh, s'not fair to just dump them on you..."
Shinjiro was a man of few words after all. Junpei had figured he shows his feeling through actions, not words, and doing a big QA session with Shinjiro would probably just annoy the guy and make them all feel awkward.
"... But they are being honest about the money and the apartments, right?"
Just as long as everyone was taken care of... that's all that mattered, right now.
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Shinjiro was usually a stoic young man, but his nonchalant air about having an apartment in a strange world made Fuuka worry. Her parents' faces flashed in her mind, and she squeezed herself tighter, thinking of how she may never see them again.
'No,' she thought, straightening herself up, 'No I will not give up. It is too early for that.'
"Have you and...and the others been looking for a way home?" she asked after a long pause, speeding up so she matched Shinjiro's stride. Glancing back at Junpei, she was sure he had the same worries as she did. He had to...right?
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Shit, he hadn't really thought about that yet. Staying here forever... they'd never see Iwatodai again, and might never see Mitsuru-senpai or Ai-chan or Yuka-tan or Ken or Koro... or his old man. And hell, out of all of them, Fuuka still had both parents in her life, even if they were overbearing as he'd heard. It made a little ball of ice forming in his stomach, thinking of all the people left behind he wouldn't be able to see.
"They said they can't get us home till the problem in this place is fixed, right? I mean, how long have they been doin' this, dragging outsiders to this town to... y'know, touch?"
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For now, she resigned herself to silence and doing her best to keep herself calm.
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A LOT worse, considering what they'd all dealt with. Junpei crossed his arms, looking over at Fuuka, before turning back Shinjiro.
"I mean, they're giving us a place to live, some money, and they seem pretty desperate. If it's really gonna help the town, and keep us from getting sick..."
He shrugged, before smiling a little.
"And hey, if we help em, we get sent home. If they don't send us home, we'll figure something; right? But as long as there's no real danger... I guess I'm cool with it."
Because worrying about it was just gonna be wasting time.
"...So do ya want a hug, senpai~?"
Ignore the stupid cheesy grin on his face. Just trying to lighten the mood!
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