Intro Log - March 2014

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone
Where: The Welcome Center
When: 18th March, afternoon
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...

Close at hand there's a note that reads:

WELCOME CENTER
Newcomers: Please come downstairs to the lobby 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, 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 bright against a mostly blue sky:

WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG
(ENJOY YOUR STAY!)

Comments

Irene - General Assistance

[rekindlenpcs]

The woman at the desk is currently engrossed in paperwork. But as you get closer, she glances up.

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

[littlerat]

Having left initially, Red returns to get a question that's important enough for a trainer like him to return for. He gives her a nod as she looks up, before then speaking his question.

"Hi. I wanted to know if my pokémon would be affected by any lack of touch." He puts a hand to a pokéball at his waist on his belt, though Pikachu sits there on his shoulder. "Can you tell me?"

He's thinking yes, but it's better to be completely certain.

Devin - Technical Assistance

[rekindlenpcs]

The young man behind the second desk sits up straight as you approach, with most of the candy wrappers brushed off the desk by this point.

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

[for_altea]

The Altean prince hadn't exactly woke well, but what else could have been expected when your last memory was a battle? He'd slept, he knew that. He'd tossed, turned, and resisted sleep - though it had done him no good. He'd slept. And he'd slept a long time. A gentle knocking at the door and the smell of something sweet (a far cry from the burning castle he'd left) had him awake with a start and a cry, a hand finding it's way to the hilt of his rapier - and an apology when he'd realized he'd likely startled whoever had come.

He had little time to actually notice the offerings- instead he'd been ushered by an aide into the main hall, and given something. And he'd opened it, of course he'd opened it - standing by a pillar in order to read. His mind swam. He was... He'd remembered an assassination attempt. What had happened to his guard? Five, ten, perhaps twenty minutes of looking throughout the hall at all of the other people here before his heart felt like it was sinking.

His allies were not here.

The shame of it was crippling. Even if unintentional, even if leaving Altea's throne suddenly, into another world improbable, unfeasible, unbelievable, they still fought there. They still fought with their lives- Had he truly been spirited away, in the middle of a battle for his life, away from others which were bleeding for him?

This couldn't be happening.
But it had. He was here. And this... this was not some manner of public execution. His guard hadn't failed. He'd blacked out, yes... but executions simply weren't done in this way.

Silently, he swallowed, the sound of his dry throat foreign, strange. And he started to read what had been given to him over again. Then he walked around the hall. Finally, he came upon the desk, and a man -- perhaps his age -- suddenly sitting up straight. Ah, perhaps...

His tone only slightly shook. He was a prince through and through - and his tone would never show uncertainty. Though perhaps his eyes did the showing, in that regard.

"Forgive me, sir. I fear I do not understand what was stated in this missive - of particular the mention of a network. If you might explain..."

[for_altea]

Marth had took some of the advice on some of the extensive writings supplied. That advice was to stretch his legs. He'd done so - both to look for cavalry or horses outside and take deep breaths of fresh air to try to consider things. He had to remain calm, and to any which might stumble upon him he was- he was just a man, slightly pale, but standing steadily enough - perhaps looking across the street idly. Yet inside he was struggling with one repeated thought, over, and over, his expression troubled - a set of keys and the "welcome package" still in hand.

This is my fault.

If anything, he'd always been too harsh with himself.

[pendragon]

A set of keys, an odd letter, and time to do as she pleased. For Saber, the obvious first step was to go find where she would be staying. Tomorrow, she planned on looking into that network and whatever it entailed. A network meant communication, and the knight was sure she should be at least aware of what was going on.

..But, seriously, she was here to be in physical contact with other people? How ridiculous.

Once on the street, Saber looks along the sidewalk to see someone who appears to not be doing so well. The knight finds her feet carrying her towards the person.

"Are you new, as well?" she asks, her tone confident despite the fact she just admitted she was a foreigner.

Yes, he's definitely pale. ..Perhaps, he was experiencing shock?

[gaggles]

Going outside seems to be the best course of action, really; fresh air always helps when you've been dumped in a weird place.
Probably.

Either way, Gordin's followed Marth's lead without even knowing, and he's quite happy to just...Sit outside the Centre until a solution comes to him.
Which it has. It's all too obvious to see his prince considering A) how familiar Gordin is with his visage and B) goddamn Altean colour-coordination. It takes a few seconds for him to look about and realise that this isn't a joyous occasion like it would be if this was a dream, before he gets back up and slowly approaches.

Who knows? It could be a pretender or something weird. He's not above discounting anything at the moment, considering...Everything.

"...Sire? Sire, d'you need a hand? You look a little pale."

[heretic_hamlet]

There was none of Marth's cavalry to be found; only a single, unfamiliar solider, and using an even less familiar sort of mount- some sort of enormous, flightless yellow bird- in lieu of a horse... though he couldn't have said he was any less hopeful; after all, Ramza always made a point to visit the welcome center when the new arrivals showed, month after month, in hopes of finding his old allies among the crowd.

Of course, new allies were always every bit as welcome, and Ramza was swift to notice one of the arrivals had the look of a swordsman, if not a lord... although perhaps not one of Gallione's soldiers, or even of Ivalice for that matter. Yet it wasn't the man's martial look but his familiar pallor that had Ramza draw near and dismount. He must have still been starved for touch... but he'd breach that point later.

"Another martial sort...?" He mused aloud as his feet hit the ground. "There's a surprise; I seldom see soldiers brought in as guests."

[lightstrike]

Of course Lightning knew the look of a new person. She hadn't been around all that long, but she knew the look of someone who had absolutely no idea where they were, what to do, and were feeling very much out of their depth. Shock tended to be one of the first reactions to being very suddenly dumped in a new place-- she knew that emotion well.

As she approached, she noticed the weapon-- a sword? They were bringing in a lot of knights, soldiers, and just plain warrior types. Herself, her sister, Steve, the people she'd sparred with. What are they doing, building an army?

"You're new, aren't you." Not even a question-- she was just looking for confirmation that she was right.

[madeofclay]

"Do you need any help?" Annie looked up at him, hands on her hips as she tried to make a strong impression.

The shape shifter had decided to come in costume. She wasn't the only one, of course. But it was her first time ever wearing it in a public setting, and not just out at night... In fact, it was a new costume, that she had spent all night thinking up and shape shifting herself into.

What she had settled on was a little jarring, but it did at least properly pay tribute to both her mentors and heroes... She wore a green shirt and tights, with a yellow cape, and blue boots and gloves. A black eye mask covered her face. And a red "P" was emblazoned over her breast, on the left side.

She was Polymorph! (A name in progress) and she was there to help this random lost person! Who clearly needed assistance!

( ota ) ♔ ( prose or brackets welcome )

[pendragon]

This wasn't the first time Saber had been summoned. No, not even the second time. This was the third. In front of the large windows that pointed towards the welcoming banner, a knight in blue and silver stands looking towards the sky.

Currently, Saber was contemplating the situation. The letter was quite informative, and the knight had no reason to doubt what it claimed. Considering she had been a part of something as ridiculous as the Holy Grail Wars, this wasn't that hard to believe. (In fact, even the idea of sharing 'energy' through physical contact was kind of familiar.)

With Excalibur's tip pressed into the floor before her feet, the knight holds the grip in one hand. In the other, she's holding the letter and envelope at her side.

I am not dead, I am certain. So, this must be right after I was dismissed in the Second Grail War. And yet, I feel no link to my Master..

She felt no pull from Rin Tohsaka, nor Shirou Emiya, or any Master at all. She has no Master.

..So I am not a Servant? And there is no War.

Even with how plainly everything was laid out in the letter, this was a bit too much to take in. The King of Knights continues to stare out the window as she attempts to piece together the bits she knows. As Saber is obviously not the only newcomer, she has no desire to go ask for help immediately when others may be in more need of it.

At least, she apparently still has her abilities and strengths.

[beforetights]

King Arthur!

[Cu Chulainn remembers to refer to the familiar face by her preferred name.]

It's been a long time since I've seen you! Did you go home? What was your home like?

[He rushes over and starts blabbing on and on, not even realizing that she might not be the same Arthur as the one who had been here before.]

[smallspot]

Lady Saber, is that you?

[Diarmuid's voice is reserved as he approaches, even though there is guarded excitement in his eyes. Loki'd not remembered him when the city brought him back, so he doesn't think Saber will remember either. However, there is a small--or perhaps not so small-part of him that holds out hope.]

Were you able to go back and see Lady Irisviel? I know you were worried about her...

[heretic_hamlet]

Soldiers and knights weren't so common a sight among the arrivals, and this month had brought an uncommonly high number of them to Saeng Seong's gates. That alone would have been enough to catch his interest, but here was one who stood out even among the martial sorts in the welcome center; At a glance, she could even have passed for one of Lesalia's Lionsguard.

It was only after he'd moved closer that he realized there was no Lion or Griffin to be seen upon her armor; only crests and filigree entirely unfamiliar. Ramza quietly breathed out a sigh. It wasn't as though he'd had his hopes up, but... perhaps half a year away from Ivalice was starting to weigh upon him more than he'd have wished to admit.

Nonetheless, she deserved a welcome. Knights were a rarity here, and this one was in full regalia; hopefully her brooding was more contemplative than troubled.

"An odd place, to be sure, but a welcome reprieve..." Ramza stepped closer, peering at the banner through the window. "...I would sooner be here than a crumbling battlefield."

Re: ( ota ) ♔ ( prose or brackets welcome )

[not_really_charlie]

Charlie had been... distracted, lately. Creating and running the Webula, watching over her programs so that they didn't crash... Designing new ones, because with no romantic life that was about all she had to do....

She'd pretty much given up on getting anyone to LARP with her. Despite actually setting up the fields and archery practice, and... ugh. So. Onward to designing text based RPGs, in her little computer world, based on her own adventures at home. Which was what she'd been doing when she fell asleep.

Which might be why she jogged up to the welcome center, internally cursing, wearing a dress and crown, with a sword in one hand and a laptop strapped to her back...

King Arthur, meet the Queen of Moondoor. Queen of Mooondore, come to a faltering halt when you see the other woman with a sword. Hot.

"...Hi."

[allbymyself]

[The letter gets torn up and thrown almost immediately, because it honestly sounds like a load of bullcrap. He gives a quick glance to make sure the whole of his team is on his person, but seriously?

He's out.

And no, Saeng Seong looks nothing like Johto. It's too crowded, for one. Even Goldenrod City - Johto's jewel - doesn't compare. Silver ends up standing two miles from the Welcome Center, puzzling over the map enclosed with the rest of the welcome packet. Not that he looks confused, just -- frustrated.

And honestly? Some days, you just have to look at the world and ask: What am I willing to put up with today?

Not. Fucking. This.]

[feistytrader]

[-Whoa. Who put a mirror in the middle of the city?

...That's no mirror. That's... A guy that looks suspiciously like him. One that's reading a map.]

...Do you need help? [His voice is calm as usual, but for once, his face matches his voice. He doesn't want to give this guy too much emotion to work with. Is... Is it Petrel? No, why would he use his face? He doesn't even know he's here-]

[littlerat]

From Mt. Silver's snowy mountains to a city of an unknown location, Red was feeling a little out of his element. He hadn't gone full-blown hermit just yet, meeting with people now and then in his journeys down for supplies and medical examinations for his team, but the shift of atmosphere and the crowd of people weren't exactly helping in wanting to keep him inside. So, after some standing around and reading of the letter handed to him, he stepped out for some fresh air and silence.

And to check on his pokémon. Or, at least, one for now. Because letting them all outside of the building didn't seem like the most helpful of things.

Thankfully, the letter had come with a map. That was useful. And so...

Option A could be to meet Red outside of the arrival point, a small yellow creature in his company. They could be met as well walking the streets, though the creature keeps perched on his shoulder close to him. He's walking with the map and standard envelope in his hand, making his way through the different districts.

He'll probably be back at the welcome centre later, to ask about a question...

Option B takes place in district 4, at the pond. Now's the time where Red can really check on his pokémon, though he doesn't do so right away, finding his way instead first at the pond while following routes to get to where the water comes together. There's a time when all of his pokémon come out - Lapras, Snorlax, Venusaur, Blastoise and Charizard - but there's also a time when it's only just three: Pikachu, and his two water pokémon Lapras and Blastoise, with Lapras in the pond itself. It's been a while since they've gotten to enjoy the water.

district 4

[beforetights]

"...Wow, are those all pokemon?"

Cu Chulainn is gaping at the sight of Red's giant pokemon. Though he knows what pokemon are from seeing Crystal's pokedex, neither Crystal nor Gold had so many giant pokemon all in one place.

"They're all so big! Nobody else I know has such big pokemon! Are they strong? Can I ride on one?"

[sanguineseams]

"How...considerate."

Once he had managed to get over the small panic attack that followed from finding himself in one(?) piece, in a bedroom that looked, smelled, and felt nothing like what he was used to, without warning. Of course it's a shock to his system! And there's not a whole lot to provide comfort around here. Not for Senketsu, anyway.

Provisions, refreshments, even a key to what can be assumed to be adequate shelter. He's not entirely sure that it would be a comfort to anyone, flesh and blood or not, at least to make up for waking up in a completely unfamiliar world, but even less so for clothes. Even if he could indulge himself with human food, he wouldn't have the heart to.

At least he can help himself up onto one of the comfortable couches, after folding the introductory letter carefully as if it had more value than a mass-printed generic address. Maybe, up here, and given enough time, he can clear his mind and figure out what he's meant to do.

'Any touch will do.'

Yeah, sure. He doesn't mind being needed for help, but they could have at least called for him alongside the person he belonged to; the person he was meant to 'touch'.

[demimaudite]

Shura was more than familiar with sailor fuku, having worn one for years in her youth.

However, to see one on a couch in the lobby brought nothing but confusion. She stared, then looked around, trying to find the uniformless and hopefully not naked person it belonged to.

Hm.

No one appeared to be missing a uniform.

Maybe she should just fold it and bring it to the lost and found...

If only she wasn't shit at detecting energy, she would know this was no ordinary uniform.

ota < x

[gaggles]

This isn't Akaneia.

That's the first thing that Gordin thinks when he finally regains any and all coherency; this is not Akaneia, and so there are two options he has.
This is a dream and he's just drifted off under a tree or been knocked out by a falling branch or something, or--

Or he's been taken prisoner. Again.

Either way, there's no open hostility (they'd provided some kind of gift even, keys and a place to stay and money somehow contained in a tiny little card) and so, dream or not, he only has one mode to default to. Why bother the people behind the desks when he can sit outside and read the letter over and over and over again and try to put things together into something that he can understand? If he's a prisoner then he just has to wait until he's dead or saved, and if it's a dream, then Jeorge will come and kick him in the belly soon enough. There's no real fear to it at least.


But he's providing rather an obstacle, considering how indiscriminately he's planted his butt down in front of the Welcome Centre. ...And how he's rather haphazardly thrown his bow and quiver down beside him. Do try not to trip, now.

[lightstrike]

"You're a tripping hazard."

That's probably not the best first impression ever, but Lightning has just gotten back into this world from a war. If she had been pissed off back when she first arrived at Saeng Seong, she's even less amused right now.

"Might want to move, considering this is a public space and anyone can come in or out." Like Lightning coming out of the Welcome Center in full armor.

[lightstrike]

OPTION A: WELCOME CENTER

[Back here again. And Lightning hates being back here, in this too-quiet city, being used as a battery that generates power with hugs and handshakes from other living, breathing batteries.

That burns her inside, because the last time, she was in the middle of trying to change her life around and fix things. This time? This time she's in a war, and one that will change the course of time. Literally.

But now she knows what Steve was talking about, when he disappeared and came back after only three days, despite having experienced years in his home. Lightning cant say she's been gone for years but if time moved in Valhalla, she might as well have been there for years. Or centuries. Or simply just days. Who knows.

And she does know that she really would be returned to the exact point that she'd been taken from, so she wont miss anything of value.

It still stings though, that she's here, walking about the Welcome Center-- with, almost ironically, actual newcomers to the city-- because she had to see if the helpdesk personnel are still there, just to get her caught up with everything that she's missed. Now she's done though, she's scanning the area for familiar faces. Someone from home, maybe, or even someone she knows from here.]

OPTION B: CHOCOBO BARN & DOG PARK

[One of the first things Lightning does is not to change out of her armor despite there being perfectly serviceable clothes back in her room, but to visit the chocobo barn and the park, because she hasn't forgotten her job-- she watches the chocobos after all.

... Imagine her surprise when the progenitors look smug as all hell, and she knows it's because they had eggs during her absence-- she has checked the network after all, having used the first street terminal she came across while on her way to the barn.]

I'm not your owner. [Yes, she's really talking to them.] I'm not going to tell you what you can or cant do. I'm just here to guard the barn. [And apparently now to make sure the chicks are okay. Well damn. She'll make a post to the network about that later.

Meanwhile, in the park, she visits the strays. Apparently they all remember her, and come running the moment she sits down on a bench. Or it's probably the influence of her new abilities, considering the beasts of Valhalla are drawn to her and obey her as well.

Nevertheless, she doesn't bother shoving them away, and lets them do what they want, short of jumping on her and attempting to lick her face-- or in the case of the cats, simply jumping on her. She's still not the hugging type, even if they're just animals.]

[[ ooc: as always, you can use prose or brackets, or a different tense if you want, and i'll change my style to match you! o7 ]]

OPTION A; Let's get this family reunion on the road!

[herosheroine]

[She's had enough time to wander around a bit, not exactly discouraged by the lack of familiar faces, because at least there were people here. It would be a bold faced lie to say she wasn't starting to feel just a touch anxious again, though. She had hoped to be reunited with Lightning in Valhalla, and Caius' desperate taunts had struck a chord of worry in Serah's heart. Noel and Mog had reassured her that Lightning would be back in the mortal realm where she belonged, along with Snow and Sazh, Dahj, Hope, and hopefully Vanille and Fang once they could find a way to wake them from the crystal. They'd finally have the reunion they all wanted, and Noel would have a family again.

So far that hadn't turned out, though. So far she hasn't found a single person she knew, and it was looking less and less likely that she would in here. Serah was just about to expand her search outside when a flicker of pink caught her eye from peripheral vision. Her heart leaps up into her throat with excitement, hope, and she turns for a closer look.

Sure enough, there she is. The one person she'd set out on that journey to find in the first place, just as she remembered seeing her last.]

Lightning!

Serah Farron ♐ Prose OR Action welcome!

[theherosheroine]

QUICK TIME EVENT: PRESS X

A young woman with pink hair and blue eyes not unlike another guest of the city stands off to the side watching the other new arrivals mill about and mix with those who came before. Some people look more confused than others. Some people look as if they're searching for someone. Some people look like they're looking for someone to help, or to help them. How does this one fit into all this?

Serah is a little mix of all three.

She looked over the letter again in disbelief. The last thing she could clearly remember was standing aboard the airship with Noel, looking out over the abandoned Academia. How in the world did she wake up HERE...? The letter was then turned and carefully folded in her hands, but otherwise kept close.

Brows furrowing with a worried expression as she brought the parchment to rest lightly against the skin above her lips, clasped gently in both hands almost as if it were precious.

"Could this be Etro's doing, somehow...? But how, and for what purpose?"

A group fighting against an unseen force that would destroy both her world and theirs, and it wouldn't be the first time she'd been "chosen" to be a champion. Her visions, her journey, her abilities, all granted by Etro.

Does she still need my help? And if that's true, then maybe Lightning is here...?

The theory seemed sound, and if someone was in trouble and she could do something about it then there was no question as to what she should do. Help in whatever way she could. The method seemed a bit hard to believe, but she could at least get out there and look for confirmation, for answers. Being in the dark about the details wasn't an excuse to say no.

She picked up the packet that had been shoved into her hands a short while ago as well, standing from her seat and moving towards the area with two young adults seated nearby. She would commit as much of the information she gained to memory as possible in case it would prove to be important later in solving the puzzle of a grander design.

(OOC: And if that set up doesn't suit your fancy here are some optional/additional prompts!)

QUICK TIME EVENT: PRESS A

Once she's made her way out of the welcome center it's time to double check her inventory. Serah chooses a fountain to sit down and settles a handful of colorful, small, sleek bottles at her side. She's surprised to find only six of her monster crystals in her bag, and you might find Serah sitting somewhere outside taking stock of which crystals she has present. They're clear and tall like an elongated diamond, but there's also an intense light shining from inside like a beacon. It's as if something living is occupying the crystal.

"Marcus, Peanut, Aiden... Misty and Roxy, and-" She holds up the last crystal and has a closer look, then offers a small smile. "We never did find a name for you, did we? If Noel turns up we'll have to be sure to fix that. Or maybe he wouldn't mind if I named you on my own."

Yes. She is talking to the crystals. You're welcome to ask about it, or the bottles.

QUICK TIME EVENT: PRESS Y

Hours after reuniting with Lightning Serah is in the park district curious about her sister's job and finding out more about the chocobos from other worlds. You might find her talking softly to the birds or just looking around the park. Chocobo owners, feel free to introduce your "little" ones!

[staystraught]

Well, anthropomorphism is a thing, but things usually need ears, or at least a face, before someone will talk to them.

Huh.

Dick meanders over to splash some water on his face before waving to her.

Just to be polite.

"Those are pretty," he said. "Gift?"

[fons_et_origo]

OPTION A: OBLIGATORY WELCOME CENTRE
It takes a moment to recover, because when one is in transit themselves when they're suddenly pulled off-course it's a bit of a head-trip. This isn't where he's supposed to be by any stretch, not in place and not in time. This isn't the stark and sterile setting of the Castle that Never Was, this...

well, that's all explained, at least, though he feels rushed around. Immigration? Really? He'd never had any sort of paperwork when he travelled between worlds himself. He almost preferred it to this, really. So he was to be a battery for these people through physical contact? That's what he'd been derailed here for? Sorry, he has better things to be doing and Time is going to throw a hissy fit all over this place if he's not there for it.

With destination in mind it takes no effort at all to open the corridor of darkness. Sorry, Saeng Seong...

OPTION B: THE POND

He doesn't expect the corridor to terminate in midair, but it does, and for a moment he windmills his arms as though he can retreat back through the portal. It closes behind him merrily, and with a splash he lands in the middle of what appears to be a rather lovely pond. Or at least it would be lovely if he wasn't soaked through. He drags himself to a shallower part, wheezing slightly - it's much colder than the water he's used to, if nothing else. Something squishes on his head - a frog seems to have gotten caught up in his hood. He yanks down the offending fabric, and the frog makes a sad little croak before jumping off back into the water.

He sprawls out, looking up at the sky, wiping away the hair plastered to his face with one gloved hand. He was more than sure this was not how things were supposed to go... he can't help but laugh.

1/3

[risingland]

Knowing Sora, Aqua and Terra would probably tell him if one of those from their worlds appeared, Riku had other plans then just spending all day lurking near the welcome center in hopes that he'll see someone (preferably yet not Kairi and Mickey). This time, it was simply fishing in the pond. There were plenty to catch, and he only really needed one for a meal he was planning. So why not?

What he expected was a lot of splashing on the other end of the line. What he didn't expect was the sound and the smell of a failed dark corridor from above and in front of him preceding it.

[evocalize]

A. Open

[Minato's barely taken in the details of his new surroundings before he's out of the room, looking around wildly as if he feels trapped being here. With unkempt hair almost covering his right eye, tattered clothes and an expression that suggests that he isn't entirely paying attention to where he is now, he follows the usher numbly and takes the manilla envelope into his hands, breathing deeply before he fumbles with the envelope and looks through the letter.

He stands completely still while he reads, only making it to the part about the downward spiral and expiring before stopping altogether, gasping softly as he struggles to process what he's just seen.]

...Is this some kind of a joke? [While it sounds like something anyone normal might say there's nevertheless signs that Minato's taking it out of context, gripping the letter tightly and yet looking like he could toss it away at any moment.]

B. Locked to Persona cast

[Having been unable to find the answers he needs and not trusting anyone here to give them, Minato's walked away from the Welcome Center though his pace is hampered by pangs of hunger lingering from yesterday. While this change of events appears to be wildly out of character compared to what he's used to, there's just too many coincidences for him to feel comfortable in this new place and finding his phone completely dead hasn't helped things at all.

The Yao Corporation knows what you want, Minato. And they want to give it to you when you are most vulnerable to receive it. It appears to fit in too perfectly with what he's seeing, and his pace slows gradually until he comes to a stop somewhere in the administrative district. He takes his phone out again, pressing the buttons dismally in the hopes that it'll start to work soon. The movement's repeated over and over, too absorbed in trying to make the phone function to notice a familiar figure approaching...]

[OOC: Junpei will be the first to approach in Part B!]

[blazeoflife]

He'd forgotten today was the 18th-- that was new arrivals day, and after finding three of his friends (well, sort of 3, what with Pharos--) there last time, he knew he had to check around the welcome center, just in case. It was a little after the usual arrival time, but he could probably still make it down in time to see all the new arrivals.

But he didn't even make it to the Welcome Center-- not when the ragged figure stopped in his line of sight, causing him to stop and stare. It was a shocker to see anyone in Saeng Seong who was in that bad of a physical state-- but this guy looked like he hadn't slept or eaten in weeks, and his clothing--

...His clothing! Junpei's eyes widened as he realised he was looking at a completely torn up version of the Gekkoukan school uniform; the same one he'd been wearing upon arrival here. So this guys was from Gekkoukan? But-- but he didn't recogni--

"Dark hair, quiet. Slouched a bit. But they were the same."

Minato. Minato Arisato. Shinjiro's words echoed in his head, and he realised he was probably looking at the male version of his dear friend. A male version who looked like he'd been through hell and back.

Junpei didn't realise he was moving so fast towards the guy, but he had to get to him- before a breeze blew him over, or something--!

"H-hey! Um, Minato-?"

[evocalize]

"A makeshift Internet?" No wait, that wasn't what he was supposed to ask about first, but he supposed that was a good place as any to begin. What Fuuka told him was concerning, considering that Haven was likely just as dead on the outside as it was inside...what was up with these worlds anyway, that they always needed to bring in other people to solve their problems?

Minato shifted a little as well, careful not to move the drip along with him as he settled down again. "I'd like to go with all of you if that happens. It seems suspicious that no one has been outside for a long time, and I want to know why."