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!)
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rekindleme2013-10-18 07:17 pm
feral
"Um, e-excuse me..." he says, his voice timid as ever. "D-do you need help...?"
The moment he says that Ruca feels like mentally slapping himself. Why yes, he needs help. That much is obvious. Ruca drops his gaze to the ground, hoping that the stupid question didn't make the other angrier.
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Allen makes himself take a breath, and then lets it out. Johnny's not here. Johnny was only acting out of concern for him. Johnny is his friend.
And the other boy certainly isn't a part of it. Allen lifts his head to smile at him, a bit weary and frazzled from the shock, but trying to be reassuring. "I apologize. I'm just... frustrated."
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"N-no, don't apologize..." He pauses for a short moment, before timidly saying: "That person you mentioned... Johnny, right? Is he here? I can help you find him..."
That is probably the only thing he can do. Ruca glances at the handcuff worriedly. He doesn't know much about that kind of technology.
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"I'm very sorry, but I haven't hear about them." And it makes him feel bad. "B-but... they might be here! I mean... I don't know a lot of people here, so..." he says all of that quickly and nervously. It's all his fault that he doesn't know, but there's still hope!
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He spares a frown for the handcuff, but -- well. He can't worry about it right now. Worrying doesn't help. Ever.
"Thank you for asking, though. I'm afraid I'm being rude... My name is Allen Walker." And now it's time to turn on the smile again.
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"To be honest... I know only a few people here." So much should've been expected from a socially awkward bookworm like him. "B-but maybe I should ask around then?"
Now he glances with worry at the handcuff, but the "thank you" makes him look at the other again. Ruca shakes his head.
"No... There's no need to thank me. And it's me who's being rude..." He bows his head a little. "I'm Ruca Milda. It's nice to meet you..."
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In fact, if he's not there, maybe they can both return to the Order and get back to their lives without worrying about what might happen to them.
"The pleasure's all mine, Ruca. Well -- there'd be more pleasure if we'd met under better circumstances, but..." He laughs a little, sheepishly.
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"...I think I understand." It was the same for him - or so he thought. Ruca's friends probably wouldn't be happy if they got here so it was only for the best that they were still back home.
Which didn't change the fact that Ruca felt lonely without them.
"...I'm sorry." he replied looking at the handcuff. He agreed that those weren't the best circumstances to meet, but there wasn't anything that could be done about that.
The only thing he could do now, was to find someone who could free Allen from that handcuff.
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