INTRO LOG - OCTOBER 2013

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone Where: The Welcome Plaza When: 18th October, 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. The lanterns flicker and the shadows rise... 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 Assistance Devin, Technological Assistance Mai, Medical 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 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!)

Comments

[topgun_textiles]

The crowds weren't his thing. Never really were, because he was never sure how to really put himself together. When you stood around a bunch of damned strangers, you were guarded, were sure you'd freak someone out with how he looked. His eyes had met one or two others, his expression as harsh and unpleasant as ever, but when he didn't know where the hell he was he opted for a familiar guarded body language.

His English was shit. Why he could read the papers shoved into his hand, he'll never know, but the person he'd bumped into seemed all too happy to welcome him here to this Saeng Seong place before shoving the envelope he now held open.

Power troubles. Energy getting sucked out of you real slow. Touching to generate power. Kanji felt his face burning, though the frustration overtook any bashfulness over things like that.

"...How the hell do they expect me to believe any'a this shit!?" He clenched his teeth, quieted when he realized he'd thought out loud again. Touch. Like when ya drag your feet on carpet and shock somebody, right? Is that what they needed?

Man, but that kinda stuff hurt! And he was only half-sure that wouldn't be enough of a charge to keep your lights on. Screw this. He needed to find a phone, call his mom, and hope she doesn't lose her shit at him winding up in some place - what, China? - with no memory of how he got here. Kanji turned and ignored the obvious solution of the help center to find a phone on his own- his was busted somehow, of course- if anything to keep others out of getting nosy and listening in on what was definitely gonna turn into an argument. None of their damned business, anyway.

But his checking corners and swearing under his breath likely made him look pretty freakin' fishy...

[demimaudite]

Did his checking corners and swearing keep him from being rammed into by a 5"6' bundle of anxiety and muscles? Because Shura is still stressed, still dishevelled, still shirtless, and still looking for her girlfriend with Pixie without paying too much attention in front of her.

[topgun_textiles]

Of course it didn't. In fact, he bumped into people more than he let on.

Impact was something he knew, and upon bumping into something that was far softer than the walls he'd been navigating around, his arms immediately shot out to right the other person, head turning at the same time. "Sorry! I-"

He froze, arms held aloft when the information clicked. Not three seconds later he backpedaled until his back met a wall, as if touching her would burn him. Clutching the bricks behind him he quickly turned his head away.

"Ghk-! Wh-wh-what the hell're you doin'!?"

[demimaudite]

Shura blinked at the boy. That was a bit of an extreme reaction to just breasts. "I. am looking for my girlfriend?" Shura, you are aware of the image you're projecting, right?

"Oh hey, you must be, uh, Kanji I think?"

[topgun_textiles]

Looking for her girlfriend. Okay. That's cool. He wasn't feeling particularly helpful when he was busy looking anywhere else, trying not to look strange by having his eyes settle on... places... and making things worse.

But he glanced back briefly when she seemed to know his name, and his eyebrows shot up.

"H-how the hell d'you know my name!?" ...Aw, fuck-

"...You didn't see me on TV or n-nothin', didja!?" Because he'd never seen anyone like this before, but he had his suspicions, despite not looking forward to explaining his appearance on the Midnight Channel ages ago!

[callmewhateveryuwant]

...damn, he could be considered lucky. Not only did Yu find Rise today but it seemed that the powers that be decided to bring the Emperor into the city as well. Not to mention the sudden bumping into said kohai; same thing happened earlier and he should really watch it.

"Kanji?"

[topgun_textiles]

It was enough that he had a rather awkward encounter earlier, but he had yet to find a pay phone that would let him call out and at least let Ma know he's okay. Instead he nearly bowled over another person despite his attempts not to run into anyone else - e-especially after last time - and that short fuse fizzled further when he turned back.

"Watch where you're-" But face recognition clicked. The anger disappeared quickly.

"...Senpai!? Why're you here?" He hadn't thought about it until now, but did he fall into a TV somehow and the others were out looking for him (despite the letter he was given telling him otherwise)?

[callmewhateveryuwant]

"Same as you." Yu replied, saying it like this was just another Tuesday. He shouldn't be surprised but seriously, if a certain blue haired detective showed up then all his kohai would be present.

"Did anyone else come with you?"

[topgun_textiles]

Man, how can this guy be so damn calm? But he ain't gonna lie, the confidence did easily rub off. Kanji was sooner looking a little less unsettled, even if he did feel cold to the core and like he needed to lie down for a bit.

"Uhh, no...? Wait-! I ran into some chick earlier who said Naoto was lookin' for me n' Rise! Tried lookin' for her, but the place is pretty damn big n' unfamiliar." Inaba, he knew like the back of his hand, but Saeng Seong was a whole new beast.

He inclined his head and frowned. "S'this place some part'a the TV world or what? My Persona's a little, uh, louder... somehow? Not all hushed up like when I'm in town."

[detective_shirogane]

Even with him skulking around corners, it was hard to miss someone like Kanji Tatsumi in a crowd. She saw that flash of blond hair out of the corner of her eyes (Along with... some other, strange things) and turned post haste, moving towards him.

"Kanji-kun? Is that you?"

Please tell her it was really him, and not some sort of illusion, at this point.

[topgun_textiles]

It took dumping him into another world to somehow miss him, really, but when you were a million feet tall and bleached, you kind of stood out. Before it was a boon to him, helped build that previous image, but right now he seemed to have the worst luck in trying to make his quiet way to a pay phone of some sort.

Senpai was one thing, but... this voice. This one not only surprised him to see another person from home here, but with a hard twist and flutter in his stomach, it brought up a whole lot of something else. His initial reply was a cough when he turned, before stifling his mouth and swallowing quickly; his stupid mouth had gone dry.

"Wh-who the hell else would it be?" He tried to answer in the closest thing to jovial he could manage, but with that crack and hoarseness in his voice, it came out all wrong. Perfect. Didn't help that he'd been feeling like fresh hell since he got here, and the wind wasn't helping.

"Y-you jus' show up here? ...I'm- I'm, uh, lookin' for a pay phone..."

[detective_shirogane]

Ah, she'd caught him in a bad mood... well, that wasn't especially unusual, and she couldn't blame him considering their circumstance.

"I was only making sure; I wouldn't be surprised if this place was capable of making doppelgangers at this rate."

She nodded at his response, sighing while crossing her arms.

"Yes, I had just left the station with you and the rest of the team, and then... opened my eyes to find myself here. Though," she shook her head, her expression becoming more annoyed-not at him, at the situation itself "I doubt you'll be able to call Inaba from here. I'm liable to believe we're not on Earth at the moment... considering there are two moons in the sky. That and the variety of people I've met so far indicate this is some sort of... I suppose 'universal junction' point would be appropriate? It's the only way I can explain seeing who I have so far..."

She realised she was rambling at this point, and shook her head to clear it, before looking up at Kanji again.

"Forgive me, I was going on too long-- are you feeling all right?"

They were team members, and she worried about him... he tended to forgo his own pain for the sake of others when he was hurt, after all. Memories of a battle recently fought came to mind... but she dared not dwell on that.

[topgun_textiles]

She had it right on the money- he didn't feel too good, kind of cold and restless like he needed a lie-down (and the keys were to some apartment, where he'll likely crash in early tonight once he feels like he won't get jumped), but he didn't let it show much other than how slightly-pale he looked.

"I'm- I'm fine! ...Uhm... junk-? Whadda you mean some kinda universal junction?" But he looked up. Sure as shit, there were two moons, and that pay phone idea was feeling more and more like a pipe dream. No wonder his cellphone didn't work, and no wonder he'd seen some pretty weird people here so far- rat people, glowing people... aaand now his head hurt a little.

"...Ya look like shit." It just came out, then, but now that he thought about it, she wasn't looking so hot, either. The TV world sort of kicked the shit out of them without their glasses, right? Ah, but he wore them earlier, and didn't feel any different.

"Y-you been up all night or somethin'?"

[tofu_idol]

Having found Yu a little earlier, Rise was by now at least starting to calm down a little. She was still more on edge than she might have been had this not all happened so soon after the incident with Labrys and what it had expanded into but she could at least breathe a little more easily, now.

Which meant that as soon as she saw that familiar flash of blond and the figure attached to it, she was already making her way over, calmer than she had been but still a little on the flustered side.

"Jeez, you too? At this rate there'll be no-one left to deal with the important stuff." Which, she couldn't help but suspect, was sort-of the point.

[topgun_textiles]

By now, he was still on the hunt for the phone, but he was at a crossroads: He'd seen a couple of his friends at this point, but that didn't mean much in the way of it being a 'good thing'. It meant they were trapped again in some weird place, and unfortunately for him, his theory about the TV world wasn't the least bit sound. Man, he felt dumb, but it made him wish it was the TV world. Just gotta contact the bear somehow, then, and-

Yeah, he knew that voice too, and as he turned the surprise was brief. Another name was added to his mental list of 'who is here'. "Shit, I was gonna say the same thing! I saw Senpai n' Naoto earlier, started wondering where the rest were. You ain't seen the other girls, right? Yosuke-senpai or Teddie, neither?"

[tofu_idol]

"Naoto-kun's here too?" That was news to her, though it was only adding to the sense of dread she was feeling about this whole situation. Naoto had been quick to see through the Malevolent Entity's tricks, after all, plus she seemed to have more of a connection to Mitsuru and the others than the rest of the group. More than ample reason to get her out of the way.

She shook her head a little, mostly to get her focus back. "No, I've only seen you and Senpai. I can't sense any of the others here either, though maybe I just missed them." She'd missed Kanji and Naoto, after all, and she was still freaking out somewhat.

"I just can't believe this is happening again, and so soon."

[topgun_textiles]

He nodded to confirm, but was looking away. He'd talked to Naoto and seriously blew it due to dry mouth and other stupid crap! But yeah, she was here, which so far made half of the team here in Saeng Seong.

"Ain't surprised- tryin'a call my Persona was a bust."

But he could commiserate, nodding in agreement. "Right? Ya figure a giant freakin' corpse-goddess was enough, and now we gotta deal with this shit. But y'know what? I got a plan!"

A fist into a palm, and he stood up straighter. She looked distraught, as did Naoto and... less so for Senpai, but it was rare when the guy freaked out.

"Lookin' for a pay phone's a bust, and they say we can't leave the city or your energy drains or whatever. I can take a bigger beating than you guys, yeah? I think I can make it out further. Figure some shit out or bring back some info."

I am so sorry

[reassigned]

"Kanji!"

A head of bright pink hair appears right in front of him, and if he looks down, he'll see a beaming, presumably teenage girl smiling up at him. Granted, she can somewhat feel his bad mood even as she approaches, but she's never let a little attitude stop her. Besides, Kanji's probably just frustrated- she can at least do the place a favor and calm him down before anything really sets him off.

Even if she does doubt he'd actually hurt anyone.

"Hey- are you doing alright?"

Don't apologize. CUPID KEEP BEING ADORABLE

[topgun_textiles]

Kanji heard his name again when he decided to take a rest and let himself take in everything he'd learned from his friends here. Another world... a universal junction? So this planet- or the city, at least- calls 'em all here, grabbing anything they can to save them from a total blackout. But he still couldn't grasp how touching was supposed to do anything helpful!

Maybe this girl knew, running right up, but this would be the second person who came right up as if they knew him.

"...Huh? I'm pissed! This Saeng Seong place freakin' kidnapped me! ...And how the hell d'you know my name?" He'd asked about TV appearances before.

"Shit, d-did Naoto ask around about me or somethin'...?" He mumbled without realizing, rubbing the back of his head and looking away.

she will do her best

[reassigned]

"I understand- it's kind of inconvenient, isn't it? But if you're worried about being missed back home, don't- you'll be put back like you never even left, apparently...!"

She beams at him, though her wings droop a little at his demand of how she knows his name. So not the Kanji she knows, then. But that's alright though- she can work with this, she thinks.

"How I know your name is complicated, but I promise it's nothing bad-" here she sticks out her hand, smile bright and almost saintly. "But let me introduce myself- I'm Cupid. Not the Cupid, that's more my Dad but regardless...!" Her smile brightens, almost megawatt. "It's really nice to re-make your acquaintance, Kanji."

A beat, and then-

"Naoto is here too?"

[topgun_textiles]

"...'Apparently'?" If that was true somehow, that was good but really weird, and he was pretty sure time-bending shit was impossible... but then again, so was jumping into a TV.

But she introduced herself as Cupid, or the daughter of the original Cupid, and she apparently knew him from somewhere before. The color rose in his face; he figured cupids were little kids with wings and they shot arrows into people, helped 'em fall in love.

Pink turned to red when she mentioned the detective, and his mind started running a mile a minute. D-did his cru- er, h-how he fee- wh-what he thinks about-- was he followed by Cupid somehow but she was invisible or something?

He nodded slowly. He'd bumped into her earlier, and that conversation didn't go so hot. But she didn't need to know that.

"Couple'a my friends're here, yeah... uhhm... the, uh-" He pointed, eyes drawn to the feathery appendages. They looked soft, but he jammed his hands in his pockets. Maybe he could ask later.

"So you're not s-screwin' with me, right? You're seriously Cupid, wings n' arrows and all the love stuff, right?"

[brainiest]

The influx of new arrives has Hermione fluttering around, doing what she can to assist in the same way people had helped her when she had first arrived. She remembers how frustrated and upset she had been, how on edge and almost violent, so she wants to do her best to offer the same calming comfort she was given - because they are stuck here and do need to make as many friends as they possibly can.

Her eyes are drawn to a young man - boy? - wandering around and muttering under his breath, certainly someone she hasn't seen before (as though the letter in his hand wasn't a complete giveaway). She hesitates only for a moment before she strides over, frowning a little at the violent swearing she can hear slipping from his mouth under his breath. Not that she was offended, but...

"Excuse me," she starts, reaching out to put a hand on his arm. "I couldn't help but notice - you must be new. My name is Hermione Granger, welcome to Saeng Seong." She hesitates for a moment before she steps around to face him properly, hoping to urge him into a less aggressive stance and comfort him as best she can. "I know this is a lot to take in and if you have any questions I'd be more than happy to help you."

[topgun_textiles]

None of these goddamned terminals were pay phones! They looked so much like 'em, though... but what were they for, then? The functions were reading 'video', 'audio' and 'text' like they were phones but nothing that went outside the city. Did they just not like long-distances charges? Kanji didn't know; his cellphone plan was pretty damn good all told, but maybe this place just had some shitty-

He heard a voice, and something touched his arm. The muscle briefly went taught at the bicep as his head turned, gray eyes looking guarded and - for just a flash - ready for some kind of fight. But nothing about the girl he looked at now said that she was ready to start some trouble, but the opposite. The confusion continued to remain on his features despite her managing to stop him - something typically pretty damn hard to do - as she addressed him.

His body language was best described as 'tight'. Kanji wasn't about to swing at a girl, but nothing about where he was felt right to him.

"You... wanna help me." His tone was perplexed as well. He knit his brow line.

"So how do I get outta here? None'a the terminals here make calls outta this Saeng Seong place." Ma's probably calling the cops now, reporting her missing son again, worrying her again...! Damn it, he was trying to change!

[brainiest]

"Of course I want to help you," Hermione does her best not to sound too affronted, knowing how difficult adjusting was, but she still feels a little put off. Shaking her head, she ignores it and continues, letting her hand drop as she sees him tense. No touching; that was something she had to make sure to remember, otherwise something bad might happen... Even if it did technically add to both of their quotas.

"I know it's rather hard to believe, but everything you've read in that letter is true," she continues before she shakes her head. "There isn't actually a way out - not so far, anyway. I've been studying this place as much as I can but it seems like we're well and truly trapped." While Hermione may be brave and bold, being the bearer of bad news isn't exactly something she enjoys. Taking a deep breath, she forces a soft smile, trying to act as comforting as she can given the situation.

"As for the terminals..." She leans over, moving to press the buttons so she can explain with props. "They connect to other terminals throughout the city. Therefore, they're only able to project video messages, audio messages or text messages within the limits of Saeng Seong to other terminals in the city. Unfortunately, there's no real means of contacting our home worlds using them - believe me, I've tried."

Her arms cross over her chest and she looks almost bitter and, certainly, incredibly put out. "I've even tried magic and - nothing." If her voice is getting a little shrill it's not entirely her fault.

[topgun_textiles]

His face fell a little. It wasn't the first time he was told he was stuck, but it sunk in just a little more when confirmed through word-of-mouth. Which only told him something else: He wasn't calling his mother. The old lady was gonna freak, if she wasn't already.

Shit.

Didn't help that she voiced what was going through his head. Terminals were Saeng Seong only, no long-distance, and his cellphone was a useless piece of crap in his pocket. He couldn't throw it away, in case it suddenly started working somehow. Besides, he worked hard on the charm hanging from it.

But the use of magic perked his ears. Maybe some others might be surprised, but he furrowed a brow. She had powers, then, right? Maybe she knew if...

"Y'said magic... you sayin' you made it work here somehow? It ain't... fuzzy for ya or whatever, is it?"