INTRO LOG - FEBRUARY 2014

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone
Where: The Welcome Center
When: 18th February, evening
Summary: The new arrivals, freshly pulled from their worlds or others, awaken in a strange place...
Warnings: Inbox death may occur. System overload at own risk. SOME NPC RESPONSES WILL BE SLOW UNTIL THE ONE WHO PLAYS THEM IS PRESENT.

It's a shuddering breath, a sensation of being pulled to elsewhere and finding oneself pressed against something on the soft and some place cozy. However, before one can fully stir, there is and odd, warm stirring sensation that lifts you up from wherever you've been dropped, when you begin to drift off once more.

Yet the feeling passes quickly, and when you awaken, you begin to realize your surroundings. It's a small room with what some might recognize as a Far Eastern theme when it comes to decor, from the walls to the sofa (or bed) you find yourself on. Illumination is provided by carefully crafted lamps, and even a candle flickering on a nearby desk. The doors are made from paper and wood, with a thin frame; through them it's easy to hear other people stirring, talking, or coming to.

You are not alone...

The people who arranged this room aren't stingy with treats, either. Close by is a plate full of mostly benign chocolates...Though there isn't any milk on hand to go with them. There's also the sound of more noise from further downstairs, and even the faint whiff of something warm and tasty. And to add to all of that, close at hand there's a note that reads:

WELCOME CENTER
Newcomers: Please come downstairs to the lobby for refreshments and your welcome packets!

(PS: This includes milk.)

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, there's a gentle knocking on the door as someone comes from downstairs to usher you along.

"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 you've had a chance to stretch your legs!"

Whether you go downstairs immediately or linger a little longer, eventually you must come down and get out of the small space, and sooner rather than later would probably be better. 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 warming, comforting 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

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 downstairs 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 first five districts 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 nurses.

Again, welcome, and thank you for all your help.

Irene
Arrival Liaison

Outside, and through the translucent glass you can see a banner hanging from the tiled roof of the building across the street. It's looking oddly bright and cheery against a darkening sky:

WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG
(ENJOY YOUR STAY!)

Comments

Irene - General Assistance

[rekindlenpcs]

The woman at the desk (which has a nice arrangement of roses, and a few stray chocolates neatly stacked and put in place) is currently engrossed in paperwork. But as you get closer, she glances up.

"Hi, my name is Irene. How can I help you?"

[lightstrike]

Save the city, save the world, just save it. Apparently there are other places that need help, of course they do, but Lightning can barely wrap her head around saving hers, let alone try and help this place.

Why has she been brought here? Her specifically? Out of all the worlds and potential people, why Lightning?

Which is why she's looking for answers right now, with the one who apparently wrote the letter she'd gotten.

"How do I get back?"

Not the best opening, but that's what she gives.

[allout]

Obviously still very groggy, Minako approaches the desk and does her best to look and act awake. She needed answers, and she needed them now!

"Hey... so where am I exactly?"

Well, it's a start.

Devin - Technical Assistance

[rekindlenpcs]

This person's desk…Could be better organized, given all the crumpled candy wrappers strewn across it. The person who sits up and at attention still looks presentable enough, though.

"Hey there, I'm Devin. What can I help you with?"

[darkhourdear]

Pharos did not understand a vast majority of the letter- he could read it, certainly, but that doesn't mean he knows what words like 'stipend' meant... plus, there was the admitted thrill he was getting off being able to be seen during the day like this.

So, the young boy peers over Devin's desk, smiling when he's addressed. It works! "What's a network?" is his first question, though certainly not his last.

[darkhourdear]

Once all his questions had been answered, Pharos sees absolutely no problem in heading out into this strange new world on his own. To be fair, the world outside Minako's bedroom at all is kind of new to him, so how should he know if this was any different?

Though, one thing is definitely different. The letter mentioned having to touch people, or your energy would wither away. Pharos... hasn't ever really touched people before. Not even Minako, really. He's not entirely sure how he's supposed to feel about that. Touching people is a good thing, he thinks. But he's not sure.

That's not what he's going to focus on right now, though. Right now, he's revealing in the fact that he can be seen. So, random passerby, don't when alarmed when this small looking children comes up to you and says hello. If you don't engage him in conversation, he'll probably just walk away and go explore something else. He's eager to look at everything.

[smallspot]

When Pharos greets the small dark-haired boy who is standing near the entry of the Greeting Center, he is probably going to be just a little startled by the greeting he gets in return.

That is because said dark-haired boy is going to practically squeak in excitement.

"They brought another boy! They brought another boy! And you look kind of like me, but your eyes are different!" Diarmuid giggles and starts to walk around Pharos giving him a closer look, "What is your name? I'm Diarmuid!"

[beforetights]

"Brother?"

This is the first thing that comes out of Cu Chulainn's mouth when he sees the other boy saying hello to him. Pharos looks so much like Diarmuid after a haircut that Cu Chulainn gets confused. He's ready to ask who could be so mean as to cut off all of his brother's hair when he notices several things different about Pharos.

First off, he's a bit taller than Diarmuid. Second off, his eyes are blue. And third, he doesn't have Diarmuid's birthmark.

"You don't have his spot..."

Cu Chulainn pokes at the corner of his eye to indicate his brother's beauty spot.

"I'm sorry! I guess you're a different person!"

He gives the other boy an apologetic bow.

"My name's Cu Chulainn! What's your name?"

[blazeoflife]

"...Aw, geez, they brought another little kid here?"

That was one thing Junpei didn't really like about Saeng Seong; teenagers like him and anything older were fine; but little kids like Chu and his brother? That was pushing it way too far. Junpei approached the boy, noticing he seemed pretty calm about this all together. He gave the kid a smile and a hand wave.

...Huh, that beauty mark was in a familiar spot, wasn't it?

"You okay, kid? What's your name?"

[lightstrike]

What's a kid doing here-- no, stupid question. Of course there would be children in a place like this, because it's a city. However, an unattended child raises all sorts of alarms, especially one who's perfectly fine with greeting strangers. So she bends down so she's somewhat level with the boy.

"Hey. Where are your parents?"

[shadowsgambit]

One such random passerby is an eight foot tall lady with horns - not that there's any reason for someone like Pharos to care so much about the horns, but he's dwarfed by her by a large margin. When he says hello, the woman looks down at him with a curious slight tilt of her own head. She's not used to small children approaching her like this, still.

"Hey, kid."

[wurstisyettocome]

Another kid? Prussia is concerned about how many children are being brought here. He'll crouch down because he's always friendly to kids. "Hey, where are your parents, Kind." It sounds more like "kid" than "kind". There's concern in Prussia's voice and he's trying to project friendliness, but his almost albino coloring might be a little scary. That and his rather strong German accent which makes his words sound harder.

[letmeatem]

Call Yukari crazy, but the letter doesn't exactly help put her at ease about being there. For one, they're making it out to be some kind of...vacation, or something. As though everyone somehow chose to wake up in this strange world. Seriously, "Welcome to Saeng Seong!" sounds like something that would headline a "Welcome to Yakushima" pamphlet. This is definitely not a vacation she would pick. At all. For a moment, she humors it. The bit about the world being in a dire need of energy--well, how much energy would it require to summon people from other worlds into this one...? If...this is even one-hundred percent true, anyway. She's having more than just a little trouble believing it.

More importantly, though...

What about her world, though, huh? What about...saving the people from her home.

That train of thought comes to a stop as soon as she gets to the next part--"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--"

Yeah, she simply stops there. This HAS to be a lie. This kind of thing isn't even...possible. Right? It can't be.

Yeah, as if. She...hasn't even seen proof that she's even on another planet. This has to be some kind of...weird kidnapping thing. A bunch of sickos looking to gather up a bunch of people for...for who-knows-what. Maybe Strega? She wouldn't put it past them. They probably used some weird drug to make everyone pass out, then moved them to some...remote location. Yeah, that has to be it. First things, first...

She's looking at the people--and she doesn't even recognize any of them. Well...time to ask them questions. It will be easier to figure out what REALLY happened once she hears their side of things. So...she's going to approach a random person, now.

[blazeoflife]

Junpei usually tried to come down to see the new arrivals on the 18th; He'd missed them in January (they were two days late though, totally not his fault!) so he figured he'd make up for it, take the day off and come check it out! Walking around the welcome center, he kept his eyes and ears opened, looking for familiar faces.

Flashes of pink always made him do a double take; usually he just accidentally saw Cupid out of the corner of his eye, but this time... Oh, this time, it was the real deal! He couldn't believe it! Yukari Takeba, his fellow SEES member and dorm mate!

Oh man she was probably pissed being here...

...Alll the more reason to distract/annoy her!

"Oh-- HEY! YUUUKAA-TAAAAAN~!"

Prepare for a quick introduction to Saeng Seong's touchy-feeliness, Yukari- cause Junpei's giving you a hug from the side!

"Is it seriously you?!"

[redpeacoat]

One of those strangers is sitting in the corner of the room, but he head is facing the floor. He didn't sleep well the night before, so he's taking a quick little snooze until the new arrivals show themselves. He's always there to check, and always hoping more of them won't get stuck here.

His snoring might catch her attention.

[littlewhitelies]

As luck (and random chance) would have it, M'gann happens to be close by. And currently in her Megan guise; at the moment, she feels more comfortable in that skin. And a little distant from a few things on her mind. She can scan the crowd with some ease, and feel like she's blending in just fine...And notice that pretty pink shirt someone is wearing! Her mouth gapes open for a second when she sees it. And her own jacket and skirt does a brief color flicker as well, as she can't resist dialing up the lightness and saturation, to try out what she's seeing.

And once this person she's observing starts approaching her? M'gann has a slight 'eep!' moment before composing herself. She can do this! This is exciting territory, meeting someone that looks close to her age. And with a very fun fashion sense.

"Oh! Hello! I don't think I've seen you before?" She says, while putting on a smile that she hopes looks friendly.

[emperor_with_no_groove]

Minako was gone, and he was starting to get over it. Finally. He never did have a very easy time letting go of people… or things in general.

With Mitsuru showing up under his radar, it made him realize how irresponsible he was to not look for the new arrivals. So after work on that typical day of the month, Akihiko headed over to the welcome center to see if he would recognize anyone.

That familiar shade of pink caught his eye as he moved through the crowd. He almost paused, but decided to push on forward, catching up to the brunette. Without thinking about how she might respond, Akihiko reached across to place a gloved hand onto her shoulder.

“Hey, Yukari,” he greeted out loud, to announce his presence.

[allout]

Well that wasn't a very refreshing nap. When Minako wakes up, it's needless to say that she's a bit confused... mostly due to the fact that she was in a room she didn't recognize. While it was a nice atmosphere and all, she distinctly remembered falling asleep on Aigis' lap. The sun was so warm and she felt like she could have slept there forever, but here she is.

There was something else that was bothering her - she felt like she shouldn't be here for some reason. Like... maybe she shouldn't have woken up as quickly as she did. But that thought is quickly dismissed as she sits up and rubs her eyes, looking around her.

When she spots the note and reads it, her confusion and curiousity only heighten. While it would be really nice to settle back into this comfy bed, she should probably figure out where she is. Just sitting around on her but wouldn't give her any answers! She heads over to the lobby, where she looks around and takes in the sights of strangers that look just as lost as she is.

Once she's gotten her information package and had her questions answered from those cheery strangers at the desks, she steps outside to take a breath of fresh air and stretch once more. She's still quite tired, but now wasn't the time to sleep. She had to figure out where Aigis and the others were.

[darkhourdear]

Pharos was actually getting a little tired as the day went on. He knew there was a lot about the world he didn't know, but he hadn't expected this much. Still, he wants to learn as much as he can about this place... just in case he disappears like he's supposed to. He's still not sure why that didn't happen.

He's walking around, taking in everything he can and still saying hi to people when he spots a familiar face. The only familiar face, really. He probably shouldn't be surprised. But... he still is.

"Minako?" Junpei was right! He did find someone he knew here!

[hotboss]

OUTSIDE

[Giovanni's been in practically every nook and cranny between Kanto and Johto and this is most certainly not Kanto or Johto. His first thought was that he'd been found and caught, though he doesn't know of any jail houses that offer actual chocolate upon arrival. It's all a little strange, so he'll just stuff the paperwork in his trench coat and leave. He's been through more complications than this and never once has he gotten stuck.

The city seems pretty quaint for their supposed energy crisis. He rummages through his coat again for a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. No point in wandering the city unless he has something to keep his hands occupied.]

yaaaaay mochaaaaa brb stealing cam's thunder

[uncouthhatcher]

[Huh, what a shady guy. And familiar too, even if it's been clear months. Naturally. Gold's out on a walk with his red chocobo, half grown and getting taller still even if she's only around his shoulder's height right now, and with Aibo beside him the three duck behind a corner to watch Giovanni. Super secret spies!

Definitely the guy.

Even if - no, especially because - this guy's Silver's pops and all, Gold is kinda wary. Wondering how his bud would react and all. And with a certain incident still fresh on his wounded pride, he was definitely not looking forward to discussing it with Crys. Nah, he'd have to check this out himself. Hopefully before Silver found out.

Gold will certainly wave down the old dude, his Ambipom pressing his tailhands together kind of anxiously and Chobo the chocobo wondering what the heck was up, and even call out semi-friendly like. This place ain't like home. Maybe they wouldn't have anything to worry about, maybe they would. Whatever came could come.]

So! Looks like you skipped out on meetin' everyone, huh? Probably gonna cause you some trouble, but I can't blame you. They're stuffy.

[He pretty much high tailed it to explore after he met up with his pals.]

[lightstrike]

Though Light would give an arm and a leg to be back home-- or even a fal'Cie's since they tend to have more pairs than she cares to count-- but if people aren't going to let her get back home and there's no visible way back to do it herself, she might as well get acquainted with this Saeng Seong. Who knows, she might be able to find something that everyone else has missed.

So what does one do when in a new place they don't know? Explore. Explore Lightning does, walking purposefully along the streets, taking in her surroundings with a critical eye. If some people are staring at her-- or her hair, or her brisk gait that screams military, or even the large red holster at her back-- well, she doesn't really care.

Occasionally, she'll pause before shops to peer at their display windows, wondering at how different they are from the shops she knows-- because most of the shops in Cocoon are digital, really. Other times she just stops and looks up at the sky, as if getting her bearings. But really, she's just walking and looking around.

[shadowsgambit]

This woman - military from the way she walks - is certainly exploring. And she doesn't look like she's about to settle in anytime soon.

This is exactly the sort of person Fortuna wants to talk to.

"Hoi, there," she says in greeting as Lightning draws near. She may not have expected meeting an eight foot tall woman with tusks and at least two pairs of horns. "Just showed up?"

[ofsongandstrings]

Having once been the "new girl" now twice in her career, Y'akeno found herself hauling a bag towards the welcome center. It was still a little cold out, and since (she had arrived in the snow and hadn't forgotten how some could likely arrive in weather they were not prepared for) she still had a few things left over (alright, more like an entire small store's worth of) hand-made clothing from coats and robes to these "scarves" things that everyone seemed so interested in in this world, she may as well give some of them away. Perhaps the publicity would be good!

...Oh, alright. She just wanted to help anyone else who was new and ill-suited for the first umbral moon late-February weather.

[darkhourdear]

Considering Pharos is just walking around in pajamas and sandals, he probably sticks out as someone who would need a jacket. Not that Y'akeno is going to have to do much to convince him to come over there... he's been approaching strangers left and right today. "Hello! What are those?"

[demimaudite]

Among the locals and the oldbies who came here to pick up their newly arrived friends, there is a girl who stands out. It might be the golden eyes. It might be the black tattoos with glowing green edges. It might be the strange fin-like horn on the back of her neck. Or it might simply be that despite the cold weather, she is only wearing a hoodie and a scarf for protection.

Regardless, she is walking along the newcomers, gaze darting left and right as she clutches a bag with both hands.

September | Fringe | OTA (Whups. So Late.)

[someonetowatchoveryou]

He does this every month. When the Welcome Centre opens for new arrivals, he picks the spot in the room that has the best view and then just... stands there, watching everyone. Occasionally you'll see him peering through old-fashioned field-glasses or writing something down.

Who is he? Security? A government agent? A spy? He's terribly expressionless but... there's something in his eyes that is pretty much the exact opposite of 'soulless.' Is he looking for someone?

Despite the clothing and the hairlessness and the lack of expression, he seems weirdly approachable. Come over and say hi?

[humility]

This month of new people had been more fruitless than the last. Aqua was quietly chastising herself for almost expecting anyone she looks for to not show up, and maybe that was why she had been slower to get there. By the time she had made her way, there wasn't even a stranger she could help; most had already been taken care of by others.

Oh well. Next time.

It's as she turns to leave that she spies the man watching everyone. She'd seen him before, at other arrival events. Never spoken to him. That should probably change.

"...Looking for someone?"

Aqua approaches quietly, smiling politely and hands clasped demurely in front of her.

[mothersdaughter]

"You're telling me that I need to touch other people?" At first, her lips frown in a familiar sense of disdain, and Severa's eyes rip themselves away from the letter in her hand. She's not terribly pleased with such an outcome - awake in a world not her own, greeted by strangers that welcomed her to her new home, told that she can do whatever she wants so long as she abides by rules laid out for her - but she's realistic enough to realize that this is her reality right now.

Severa sighs heavily, hangs her head. "Well at least they gave me some money," she mumbles to herself. She's separated herself from the crowd of newcomers, unsure of how to mingle with them.

[ OPTION A ]

At some point in the night, Severa is quietly nibbling on cookies and sipping her milk. She's looking at the map given to her at the beginning of the evening, searching for any specific landmarks on it.

"Where are the stores that sells clothes and makeup? If I'm going to be here, then I might as well look my best!"

[ OPTION B ]

She is awkwardly trying to integrate herself into the crowd. Severa is awkward with mingling but, at least, she's giving an effort. She feels weird and uncomfortable with this 'touching' aspect to the community, so she's standing quite a distance away her conversation partner.

"Hey." Her posture is stiff and occasionally, despite initiating contact, she looks away from you. "I'm guess you're new too, huh? Some kind of place we wound up being in, huh?"

She looks pointedly at you, waiting for some sort of response. Sorry, she isn't much of a conversationalist. She's terrible at it.

B or not to B...

[dragoncrest]

When the red-clad figure turns towards the voice addressing her, Severa will quickly see that her conversaitonal partner isn't quite human. Her expression is mostly hidden under her hat and hair, but her voice gives off a sense of calm. "New? I'm afraid not; I've been here for some..."

She trails off once she recognizes the red pigtails and stiff posture, although it has been some time since she's encountered the sight.

"Oh, Severa, wasn't it?"

She pauses for a moment, tilting her red-capped head as she brings a hand over her mouth in thought. Though she's met a young woman who looks exactly like her a while ago, it seems by her words that she's only arrived this evening. Is this another instance of people being brought here without remembering? Or perhaps it's a different young woman entirely? She isn't entirely sure what to think just yet...

[rightful_king]

To say Lucina has seen some strange things in her lifetime and experienced some even stranger would be an understatement, but nothing she has ever seen or done prepared her for this. For some time she is silent, not because she has nothing to say but because she has no idea whatsoever on how to put her confusion into words. It is during this confusion that she misses most of all the information spewed at her, whether by mouth or by note.

The entire time, from arriving to walking out into the city, Lucina unconsciously gropes for the hilt of the sword she does not have. It is after noticing its absence for the seventh time that finally breaks her patience.

"Gods, just what in Naga's name is going on?!"

She angrily kicks the wall of a building. Then immediately regrets it. "Ow."

[wurstisyettocome]

Well if the shout hadn't gotten Prussia's attention the wall being kicked did. Prussia turns to look at the girl. She seems a feisty as Hungary and he wonders if she would fight as well.

"Kesesesese~" he snickers to himself. He approaches with a mischievous grin.