rekindleme | INTRO LOG - OCTOBER 2013

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INTRO LOG - OCTOBER 2013

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!)

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Fuuka listened to him, kept on a polite smile, nodding all the while. It was difficult not to cringe, though, knowing his theory--no matter how sound--was eventually going to be disproved. This was real, she knew that much. Where the reality was was the true question.

As he gestured to the clock, she looked up at it, then at him. Bracing herself, she wondered how much he would freak out when the time changed. Hopefully he wouldn't lash out at her...but it was a possibility, given how strongly he was holding onto this belief. Sure enough, as the minute hand clicked into place, she saw his confidence begin to crumble as he attempted to reconcile what had just happened.

Sighing softly, she took slow step towards him, gently holding out a hand to touch his arm.

"This isn't a dream, strange as it is. This is real. Just take deep breathes...oh dear, we never introduced ourselves," she smiled, trying to sooth his nerves, which she saw were beginning to fray. "I'm Fuuka Yamagishi. What's your name?"

Upon first touch he felt tense, running fingers through his hair and frowning as he tried to run more possibilities through his mind, try and make sense of any of this. Absolutely nothing in his life had prepared him for a situation like this and he felt lost, uncomfortably nervous, and... warm? That was odd- the restless and cold feeling in his core was melting away.

When he turned violet eyes upon the girl he looked distraught, hair ruffled, but made no move to pull away from the hand. In the back of his mind, perhaps he desired some form of comfort, realizing he hadn't seen any of his friends here, not a single face of anyone from Iwatobi.

"...Rei Ryugazaki." Well, it was rude not to have introduced himself earlier.

"But how is this real, Yamagishi-san? Am I really supposed to believe that alternate worlds exist outside of fiction??"

At least he wasn't yanking away from her or lunging at her. He was pushed beyond the limits of his understanding but not angry. Relieved, she drew closer, the pleasant warmth calming her nerves. From how he looked, however, it would take more than a comforting hand to calm him down. Gently squeezing his arm, she smiled.

"It's nice to meet you, Ryogazaki-san. Even under such circumstances," glancing around, she tried to think of what to say, finally shrugging, "I have seen many strange things that I would have considered impossible unless I saw it. This is no different. We're here...where ever here really is. And that's the reality."

Smiling again, she moved both her hands to grasp his hands, instantly feeling more warmth. It was an amazing thing, how simple touch vastly improved her mood and nerves.

"...but I think it may take time to fully accept what's happened. And that's alright."

It was hard to swallow. He wasn't dreaming. He was in a world that had two moons and different constellations and he was supposed to DEAL with that!? Were they out of their minds? Why hadn't they asked him before taking him here? Why HIM, of all people, rather than the far friendlier Nagisa for instance? Yet in the thick of it all, this girl was...

...Well, she seemed so steady, so sure in everything. How could she be so calm? She was just as confusing as the rest of this place, yet awfully sweet. When she turned and took both his hands, he only stiffened briefly, but made no move to pull away. He wasn't realizing that his first physical contact since coming here was wiping away the chilling unrest, soothing the edge of what had his nerves frazzled.

"I can't bring myself to accept this! Not entirely! But... I could perhaps look into what the natives have to say about all of this, if anything to help make this entire world none of us have even heard of make some sort of sense! No city is without a library, for instance. Surely this place has an extensive history on record...!" He spoke with such conviction, partially to convince himself that he wasn't up the creek without a paddle.

"...It's strange, but I'm not feeling quite as under-the-weather as I was a moment ago."

Ryogazaki was very strong willed, especially for someone who had been put in such a crazy situation. At least he seemed to be refocusing alright...or just distracting himself. Either way, Fuuka had to admit that looking for a library was a smart idea.

"Yes...finding out as much as we can will surely bring us closer to finding a way home," nodding firmly, she strengthened her resolve to get home. She would do whatever she needed to. Hearing his 'under-the-weather' comment, she smiled at him.

"I'm glad! Though...I think it is because," she lifted their joined hands up somewhat, "we're touching. In the packet, it mentioned how touch was...important, somehow. Thus far, I have noticed it makes me feel warm, and calm. Is it the same for you?"

He nodded back. Knowledge was power, and on top of that he wanted to find out how intentional the Eastern-style architecture inspiration was. If this was another world entirely, it would make no sense for it to bear such Earthly connotations.

Rei looked down at their joined hands. He hadn't believed the touch bit, either, but he had been feeling sickly and out-of-sorts until a moment ago. Nobody kicks a cold that quickly, either, which further proved that touch was of importance here. But why touch? He still couldn't accept engaging in such things with strangers-- even if he was doing that now, ahem, BUT THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT--

"I... do feel that as well, but I'd surmised that it was because we happen to be-- ...erm, hm." He cleared his throat, took a moment to adjust his glasses. He was presumptuous to assume holding hands felt worlds different from a clap on the shoulder or a handshake. It was this Saeng Seong's influence, as maddening as that sounded.

"Nevermind. It does prove their persistence to engage in physical contact, however."

Realizing what he had meant, Fuuka blushed some and giggled. Holding hands with a stranger, especially a boy, was fairly intimate and strange. In any other circumstance, she would be embarrassed. But if it kept him calm, she didn't mind; it eased her nerves as well. Tugging lightly on his hand, she motioned towards the town.

"Ryogazaki-san, should we head into town to look for a library?"

It was the only lead they had right now, after all. There had to be something there. Just had to be.

OOC: Sorry this took so long! :(

It was enough that, with the good feeling he had rising in him the longer he kept contact, he was capable of nodding and holding the complaints until later. Which was fortunate, because she'd probably heard enough of his griping.

"Yes! I don't want to wait on finding out more about this place if I can help it. Your help is appreciated, Yamagishi-san," he replied, upper body tipped into a bow, before he nodded and allowed her to lead the way. She had the map, after all.

Even with the map, it took nearly an hour for the two make it to the library. A few times, Fuuka released his hand in order to study the map better, but otherwise made sure they remained connected. It was strange how she could almost instantly feel the effects of their hands no longer touching; a cooling of her hand, the beginnings of a pit in her stomach...very strange indeed.

As they stood outside the building, she tucked the map away and sighed, relieved.

"We finally made it..."

His face grew warm as he tried not to notice the connection, but the longer they held, the warmer he felt. It was amusing to ponder how Haruka-senpai would handle a place like this, while someone like Nagisa-kun would adapt here just fine with how often he latched onto people. Was it strange to feel a tad lonely after only a few hours...? But they were his friends, after all.

But he sighed his relief when they stood in front of the library.

"Everything we'll need to know is right inside. As much as I'd like to look for the How-To books, we'll need to make a dent in the history section, find out where in the universe this place is," he noted aloud, rubbing his chin. As they stepped inside and shut out the chill of the outdoors, he peered around.

"...Ah, where is the historical section...?" There... didn't appear to be one. At least, not one he could see.

"Perhaps...it's towards the back?" She suggested, gently pulling him that way.

Walking down the rows of books, Fuuka let out a content sigh. Looking around, she found comfort in the tall shelves looming over them. Libraries were where she had spent a large amount of her schooling career. Save for the last year, of course.

"At least this is the same," she said, glancing back at him, "Maybe this place is more familiar then we think."

As they reached the back wall, she gazed up, looking for some kind of sign for 'History' or 'Reference.' But she could find neither. Not yet concerned, she headed right, figuring they would find it eventually. Until they did though, perhaps getting to know one another would be nice. Especially since they had been holding hands this long.

"So, Ryogazaki-san, what were you doing before you came here?"

"It is a relief to see some things remained unchanged," he agreed, snooping around the back area. As he was looking around, he'd noticed they were still connected, and with a subtle clearing of his throat, he withdrew and freed both of his hands to sort through the books. That was odd... was there something here, or...? Why was there no sign?

"I was in the middle of the prefectural swim meet. I suppose I should be glad I wasn't taken during my heat, especially with how cold it was outside, rather than the middle of summer." Wow, now that he thought about it, there probably couldn't have been a better time for him to be taken in!

"You?"

When he cleared his throat, she glanced at him, and blinked as he withdrew his hand from hers. Smiling, rubbed her hands together, wondering if their holding hands was awkward for him. Looking up, her smile faded some; still no sign of a reference section. Could it be tucked in a private area?

Listening to his reply, she was surprised to hear he was a swimmer. Then again, the only real athlete she knew was Akihiko, so he was all she had to compare Rei with.

"I agree, I'm certainly glad you weren't taken mid swim!"

Shrugging some she remembered that she had been remembering Minako with Junpei. No one else had wanted to drudge up the memories of her, or her death.Fuuka's eyes dropped to the ground at the memory before she answered.

"Moon watching...with a friend of mine. I...I don't know if he was taken with me or not. I couldn't find him inside," smiling, she looked up at him, pushing away her melancholy, "I actually followed you outside because I thought you were him."

She did seem to be peering around before everything that happened. So she was looking for someone, too, and tonight was a case of mistaken identity. "I see. I'm sorry to have caused such a mix-up."

But this place was mysterious. Anyone who wanted to know more would either be at the visitor's center, or possibly come here to learn more afterward? "Would he come to a place like this, or remain at the help center?"

Then, he turned pink. "Ah- I should walk you back, just in case! It was never my intention to pull you away from your own search!"

"He might stay at the center...or explore on his own."

Fuuka couldn't imagine Junpei coming to the library, since he rarely went back home, but he might. If he came to the same conclusion they had. Looking around again, she was baffled that they hadn't found the history/reference section. The thought of there not being one unnerved her a bit.

Rei's slightly flustered declaration brought her focus back to him, and she gently touched his hand in the hopes of calming him down some. "It's alright, I thought it was a good idea to come here too."

She smiled, "...though it might be a good idea for me to go back...just in case." Though she wasn't sure if he was here at all. Rei had not shown up with his other teammates...but she still had hope.

"Yes," he agreed. "I suppose instead of a history section they might have an archive somewhere. Saeng Seong must be so history-rich that they couldn't contain it all in a place like this!"

One could only hope, Rei.

"Let's get you back, then."

"Of course. Maybe they have it...on some sort of computer, if they have something like that." She smiled at him, pleased to see him more optimistic. Perhaps they could come back together sometime.

"Yes, perhaps someone else you know came through too."

He nodded. Though, he wasn't holding his breath. It also didn't help that the others seemed to hung up on the boy he'd met from the rival school... they'd be further disturbed by being here, won't they?

"Someone might have, if I've shown up. If Saeng Seong needs people so badly, then who better than to bring individuals in large groups, and teammates on top of that?"

But he'll lead the way. He quietly thanked a clerk and apologized for the waste of time.

Fuuka smiled, nodding in agreement, encouraged both for him and herself. Perhaps both of their teams were there. Which...was a mixed blessing, given that she didn't want her friends to be kidnapped either. But to have a familiar face would be nice. Glancing up at Rei, she was glad she had met him though.

After bowing to the clerk, she followed after him, doing her best to remember landmarks; might come in handy. As they neared the Center, she glanced up at Rei with a smile.

"...thank you, by the way. For accompanying me this much. I really appreciate having someone to talk to in a time like this."

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INTRO LOG - OCTOBER 2013

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No worries!

Re: No worries!

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