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]

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?"

[brainiest]

"Fuzzy?" Hermione pauses a moment to think it over. Her magic hadn't really suffered, considering she had kept up with her physical contact, but she hadn't really done anything that put too much pressure on her. In fact, she was doing far less magic here than she would be doing at home - for obvious reasons, she supposes.

"No, I don't think so. My magic has been consistent, unless I neglect to keep up with the physical contact this place requires. One of the side effects of the withdrawal is that powers - whatever they might be - go a little... Haywire. Do you have any powers?" She doesn't mean to be nosey, she's just inquisitive. "If you do I really do suggest that you don't let yourself fall behind. I've seen what can happen and it's not pretty."

She shakes her head, moving forward, concerned. Swallowing back the rush of concern, she offers a softer smile instead. "It's going to be okay. As far as I can tell, us being here has no averse effects on our home life whatsoever - so whoever you're trying to call should be fine."

[topgun_textiles]

It was so damned hard to make a stand on whether he was okay with the fact or not. He didn't even know if it was fact or not: His mother was a tough old bird, but he'd told her never to reach for higher shelves in the shop or overdo it- that's what he was for, along with the deliveries and dealing with problematic customers. But... was she okay? How was this girl so sure? She had people back home, waiting for her, right? But she'd studied up, she said, on the city. If she seemed so calm here, then... m-maybe he should put his focus on giving the city power so he can go home as quickly as possible.

The poker face broke as he looked disturbed. "The letters n' info desk were sayin' ya get sick if ya don't do the physical contact thing, but now powers go apeshit, too?"

As if in reply, a hand shot to his chest, clapping over the gold bullet charm dangling from the chain around his neck. With the sound of television static, something appeared briefly behind him, a massive white, red and gold entity with a flowing cape and massive sword, but the features were muddled with that weird 'television snow' effect. It lingered for two seconds, and then was gone.

Kanji shivered briefly, swallowing as his mouth was suddenly dry. "...Guess there's my answer, yeah...?"

[brainiest]

Hermione had been about to reply, to offer some kind of additional comfort, when a huge figure appeared behind the boy, flickering a little before disappearing. Her mouth dropped open for a moment as her mind rushed to try and catch up with what she had just seen. Of course she knew that people coming from other worlds had different powers, but... She hadn't expected something like that. Was it some kind of summon? It certainly wasn't at all like the simple summoning charms they were taught at school, nor was it at all familiar to her - even with her completely over the top attempts at learning everything she could about magic.

Stepping forward, albeit a little nervously now, concerned, Hermione smiles weakly and reaches out to lay a hand on Kanji's arm. Obviously he's having some minor issues with his powers and she was determined to help him, even if it was just offering him a pinkie to hold. He couldn't be any worse than Draco Malfoy, she was certain of that.

"Yes, that is your answer, I expect," She smiles a little softer, trying to be - well, comforting rather than scared. "Don't worry too much about that. Physical touch is easy to come by here - everyone is in the same boat and needs the same amount of touching to get through without being sick, so I'm sure that a few people would be more than willing to help you, myself included. Have you been given a room key as well? I could show you the way to your apartment if you'd like - and answer any other questions you may have."

[topgun_textiles]

It was like a fist tightening over what felt like his heart, a rough squeeze before a trembling sort of release. But the discomfort slowly dissolved with the hand against his arm, a touch he didn't notice at first, but the color returned to his face a few moments later as the chill was quietly driven away.

It was no wonder touch was given so freely here. When you felt like fresh hell otherwise, it benefited everybody to give a pat on the shoulder now and then. When he noticed he peeked, spied the hand at the arm, and nodded his thanks. So it really was true, wasn't it...?

"Y-yeah, some... some key with a number on it," he replied.

"Do the natives feel stuff like this... or s'it just us?"