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

[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?

[for_altea]

He was lost in silent, somewhat inept examination of the streetlights and musings of the situation back home. The attacking force unknown, save for the leader. One of the leaders. Mages. Myrmidons. Of a far greater number than -

A voice. Yes, he was being spoken to. So he inclined his head to move to regard the woman knight. Her attire was familiar to him, but he could see no sigil he could recognize the meaning of upon it. A free knight, perhaps? Or even of another world, like the letter had stated.

He responded, of course his voice far calmer than his expression. "Yes, my lady. I have just arrived from that building." His gaze shifted toward it. "May I help you?" he asked, somewhat tentatively - gaze shifting back to her face.

[pendragon]

"I was concerned you needed help," Saber said, shaking her head briefly. She wouldn't dwell on the fact he appeared unwell, as that may just make things awkward for the man and everyone had their pride. Or, at least, she assumed he had quite a bit of pride from his general appearance.

"I likely do need assistance with some information, but I have decided to attempt that tomorrow. For the evening, I think I should find where I will be staying and .. perhaps, read over this letter a few times."

Saber lifts the envelope with the letter and other items in, just to show what she was talking about.

[for_altea]

"Ah." Gods, he looked that disorientated? Internally, he cursed himself - outwardly he merely allowed himself a small smile. "You are kind." he started, soon shaking his head lightly. "Thank you for that kindness. I am sorry to have caused you concern."

He couldn't help but think to himself that some of this knight's focus wouldn't go amiss with him. In all of the time he had been stood out here, he hadn't once heard the clattering of hooves. That meant he had arrived with no cavalry. Not had he seen any sets of armor, barring hers.

This time, he had escaped alone. Pulling his thoughts from the cost of that, his eyes glanced the letter. Most likely identical to his own...

"If I may, might I join you? Please, do not mistake my intent. I understand a knight can surely handle herself, yet we are both in a place quite unknown. If something were to befall you on your way, two swords may very well serve you better than one."

[pendragon]

"2-15 in Building 2," Saber responds curtly. "That is where I am headed. If our paths are taking us in the same direction, I have no reason to say no."

The knight is pulling out that map again to find where they would need to go. She hasn't noticed anything amiss about the other asides from his paleness, but Saber is somewhat taking being summoned elsewhere and to another time for granted.

"It seems we are in district 2, and we need to head to district 1 for the residential area.."

Saber has no issue finding where they would be staying with this man, but she does sincerely hope he doesn't expect anything more once they arrive at the building. Arriving and meeting the people she has already, it's been.. quite the evening.

[for_altea]

Anything more certainly wasn't expected. The matter was simply as Marth had said - that this place was unknown, and if it was anything like where he had come from, travelling alone simply wasn't safe. That and walking would probably help him in regard to looking for his allies, and figuring out what exactly to think in regard to all of this. Unlike Saber, he wasn't taking the sudden news that other worlds existed well - let alone the fact he apparently was in one with no feasible way back. He'd never had reason to even think of anything other than his own world - not once - in any part of his life.

Until now, that was. And he was trying to accept it. What else could be done? Staying here in suspended disbelief wouldn't help at all.

He stole a glance at her map, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Yes. We are to go south, it seems. It is strange that all of the roads are named..." Of course, the villages he was used to didn't have streets with names, buildings with names (save castles), or anything of the sort. So. After another quick glance, he started to move. "Yes, there is a signpost there..."

After a short period of walking (and perhaps openly staring at anything that simply wouldn't exist back home) he paused. "If I might, you are taking this very well. May I ask your name?"

[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."

[for_altea]

Probably. That, and the arrivals building, with it's strange smells, strange people sitting behind tables, strange offerings (what were "refreshments" anyway?) and the strangeness of the entire situation was extremely claustrophobic. Outside wasn't much better. It was loud - very much so, the buildings were strange, and Marth was unsure if he'd even seen this many people in all of his life. But it was better. Slightly so. The sky above them was still blue. There was still ground beneath his feet. And outside was the possibility of seeing others, since horses weren't exactly that much of a common sight indoors. ...Unless your castle was currently being stormed.

That possibility was dwindling, however. He'd been out here for what seemed like hours, just really a blob of blue in a sea of faces he didn't recognize - glancing around whenever he'd heard anything alike the sound of sollerets on the odd, stone(?) surface which formed the sidewalks. If anything, he'd grown paler as his (rightful) sense of panic started to grow. Yet save for an odd pallor he looked calm enough, merely glancing through the crowd. He had to be strong. Of course he had to.

A voice. He turned, eyes widening.

"Gordin?"

If he were weaker, he would be happy the archer he saw as his friend was here. But he was not weak. He was confused, more than half-devastated, and weirded out, but he wasn't weak.

"You were taken as well... I am sorry, my friend."

[gaggles]

Oh good, oh thank Naga it's not a hallucination. Gordin couldn't take that right now with how weirdly fragile this whole ordeal was turning him.

"Sire, it's really you! I thought I might-- ah, never mind that!"
Hands flapping excitedly, he closes the distance between them with a grateful smile.
...Which duly fades when he realises the implications of both this and what Marth's just said. They're here together...Is everyone else dead? It feels strange in such warm, pleasant weather, but a cold chill sweeps over his body at the thought of being the only survivors of some tragedy.
"You don't think some terrible thing has happened to bring us here, do you?"

The letter spoke only of their need to be here, not of any hows. Surely if it was all true, they wouldn't have slaughtered an army just to get Prince Marth of all people to help them (and taking pity on him while they were at it).

...He's got to sit down again. This is too much heaviness for his mind to handle.

[for_altea]

"I do not know."

And he hated himself for it. Gordin's brother was one of the knights which stood with him after all. But he hoped not. He really hoped not. But he remembered the assassination attempt. They were outnumbered. And mages-, No, he had to have faith in the newly knighted members of his guard. They would overcome this. They had repelled the first wave of attackers, been on the advance, but why hadn't they arrived here, as well? He couldn't remember what happened, what event happened between bloodying the floors of that castle again and this. He'd assumed, upon waking up, that he'd been captured. Possibly awaiting execution, rather than assassination. Perhaps some plans had changed. But quickly, he'd realized that wasn't the case. This was far stranger than a peace abruptly ending.

He broke from his thoughts when he noticed Gordin sit, moving to a knee. His face clouded with worry as a gloved hand tentatively hovered over the archer's shoulder. "...Are you hurt? I have some medicine with me, please, take as much as-" No. He'd scanned Gordin's armor as he spoke. There was no blood. He was uninjured. Just dazed, possibly in shock.

"...Thank heavens you are not wounded." the relief in his voice was tangible, and he withdrew his hand, though remained kneeling, to speak to the archer.

"The seventh managed to repel the attackers. They moved toward the leaders, Katarina and a strange, masked man. We appeared to be winning, I cannot explain how this happened. But Gordin, I need your aid. We must look for them. They could be here, injured. We were both taken, were we not? Though in different areas. There is a chance they, as well, could be here... as well as other Altean knights or anyone that was unfortunate enough to be involved in that. We must find them."

[gaggles]

"If it has, then at least you're safe. Thank the gods for that much."

There's a strange vehemence in that sentiment, as if as long as that stays true, then nothing else will go wrong. It's the one thing that he has, really.
...Then again, he has no idea about the platoon left behind.

Still, Gordin just smiles warmly despite the mess of conflicting emotions writhing in his gut; if anyone would worry over him when there are bigger fish to fry, it would be Marth. "Thanks, sire. I just feel a bit out of sorts is all! And here I was worrying about you! Are you alright--"

Oh dear. Well that shatters his painfully cheerful facade all too easily; the seventh, just a bunch of kids...The thought brings bile to the back of his tongue.
Not them. Not Ryan, anyone but him.

"Yes-- yes, of course. R-Right away. Should we keep together or split up and cover more ground?"

[for_altea]

The man's worry was an awful thing to witness. But he couldn't lie - he couldn't mislead or even delay telling the truth when it came to matters of such importance. If anyone dared lie to him about Elise, he would not be able to forgive them. It had to be the same for Gordin - no, worse.

Normally, splitting up would be the better option. More ground could be covered while separated, but this place was unknown. He wouldn't be responsible for the loss of someone else, should anything happen to Gordin while he was scouting. While the archer was indeed a knight of Altea - one that fought, survived and won the war of shadows and therefore could defend himself - losing anyone else was something he couldn't abide. He couldn't even entertain the thought... and he didn't know what could be out there.

"No..." he started, finding his feet again. "No. Please, stay behind me."

[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."

[for_altea]

He'd never seen anything alike the chocobo. Never. The bright chunk of yellow appeared to stand out from the crowd, and he'd found his gaze drawn to it long before he'd even noticed a rider. Horses? Fine. Pegasi? Fine. Wyverns? Fine, though required a bit of distance. But that... He'd never even seen any animal which even slightly resembled it. It was a gigantic bird, with a body too large to even consider flying. But it looked as strong as any war horse, when the birds he'd seen on his world always seemed so delicate.

When he noticed the rider, he was quite simply stunned. A soldier. That was the only familiar thing about any aspect of this situation. He watched the rider dismount, listening to his musings and responding in a humble fashion, staying a respectful distance from the chocobo. Just in case if it were anything alike a wyvern in temperament.

"I fear whatever force which is to be held accountable for this phenomenon has made an exception in my case." He paused as he regarded the man's armor, noticing no sigil that he knew of. Another, from another world perhaps? No, he couldn't tell. He knew nothing of this nation, or it's military. After a small pause, he spoke again.

"My name is Marth." It was useless to state his post. However correct Ramza's musings of Marth's status, it didn't seem right to announce one's nobility in a world where one's homeland was nothing. "Might I ask whom I speak with...?" There was no agitation in his tone. Nor fear. Merely curiosity.

[heretic_hamlet]

From the young man's manner of speech, Ramza thought, maybe wasn't too far off in his assumption. But only Boco- said enormous, bridled bird-mount- paid Marth's gawking stare any heed, and returned it with a curious, searching gaze of his own. He was more or less used to getting that kind of attention by now.

"You'll at least find a bit of rest here for your sword arm," Ramza continued, glancing over Marth's shoulder to the crowds surrounding the entrance. Thank the Gods they were conscripted for aid and bereft a war to fight, the occasional wayward snowman notwithstanding.

"And I, Ramza," he spoke, removing one of his gloves as he extended his hand for a handshake. "Ramza Beoulve," he added, if only out of habit for the weight of his own surname. A touch always did well to explain the workings of Saeng Song, as strange a place as it was; Ramza, himself, might have never understood had he not felt it firsthand upon his arrival.

"...No-one of consequence," he added with a tired smile.

[for_altea]

Normally, not having to fight would be welcomed. Very much so, actually. After the war of shadows and all of the death which was part of such a long, drawn out, and terrible conflict especially.

But this instance.. He was given a free pass, while those sworn to protect Altea and he could very well die in his name? Not to mention the rumours which had reached Altea of the formation of the "Akaneian Empire" with an old friend deeming himself Emperor? And the other rumours, of revolt and Altea's knights being conscripted to put down the common folk that rebelled?

Everything at home was unsettling. Very much so. Rumours were rumours by nature. These were doubtful. Hardin calling himself Emperor was uncharacteristic. Ordering knights and paladins to fell farmers and villagers absolutely not him. He'd dismissed the rumours as soon as he'd heard. Wrote a few missives himself to Akaneia, questioning what exactly was going on. But now he was away from everything, every rumour seemed that much more ominous.

His response was mumbled, small. Almost distant. "I see... that is a relief, to know there will be no spilling of blood. If I have to be here, I wish to help, but not to harm anyone, enemy to this world or not..."

He snapped out of his (dark) thoughts as Ramza introduced himself, moving to take his glove off in turn, returning the gesture with a firmness which conflicted with his gentle demeanour and thoughtful tone. Marth, despite his gentle personality, always had been in possession of inner steel.

"Ramza... Thank you."

[heretic_hamlet]

A martial sort at a glance, but more an errant knight-protector than sellsword by his words... if only Gallione had such sorts leading the Order of the Northern sky. Ramza lent a moment's thought to how- or why- Marth would have taken up such a trade, but was he poised so differently himself?

"You've had your fill of battle, have you?" he eventually replied with his other hand reaching out to pat Marth's shoulder. It was a question Ramza asked more in sympathy than condescension, but he soon realized it might not have sounded so. "I had seen enough in my homeland, as well."

He couldn't very well say his arrival was welcomed per se, if only for his doubts as to whether or not he had actually succeeded in foiling the fiend's resurrection... but he would be more than happy to lead culling dissenters and succession wars far behind him.

[for_altea]

"Battle is something which cannot be avoided in my world. It had a steady peace, but I fear recent events have indicated it's end." He responded, his voice low, with feeling. In a world of warlords and brigands, someone had to put them down. Altea, the kingdom of knights, would always do that. It was in their blood. It was their purpose. He, moreso than any other. Even though Medeus, the dark dragon had been destroyed- the alliance he'd placed in charge of the entire continent was rumoured to be failing.

His mind drifted to Hardin.

"There are those which would seek to harm those which choose ways of peace, exploit them, and destroy them as example to others. There are those that would see the entire world burn, as well. I swore that I would stop them - even if they were friends, once. Battle is not anything I can choose to not commit to, when the world and the people within it suffers." He responded, grimly.

"... But Altea forges peace from battle. My reservations are for what comes of war. A peace is forged, of course - but it is paid for with blood. You might think my ideals childish..." Most did, actually. Tacticians, advisors, aides... even his sister. "But they are my ideals nonetheless. Where I am from, it is all I can do to prevent loss, and try and honour those which do fall, but here..."

He simply couldn't. He knew as much. What was he, here? Nothing. He had no authority. No power to prevent anything from coming to pass. No allies, no friends. No strength. His friends were his strength. He was painfully aware of every shortcoming he had. That was the biggest.

"We are both of no circumstance in more ways than one here, it seems..."

A pause.

"Forgive my brooding. This is all very surprising.."

[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.

[for_altea]

Marth noticed the woman's eyes upon his rapier, and he blinked slightly. Her armor itself wasn't the bulky, protective types most commonly worn by knights of his world. Instead, it looked somewhat lightweight, offering less protection but affording far more mobility to avoid hits rather than take them. Almost alike that of a pegasus knight, actually. So. That helped his nerves slightly as he approached the woman in turn.

"I am." He responded at the (lack of..) question. Her voice was authoritative, but she didn't seem highborn. Not at all, actually. In turn, he offered a question of his own. "Forgive me for asking, but I would like to ask... Have you seen any cavalry? I am trying to join with my allies, and-"

And it was disconcerting to find absolutely no horses outside the building. Very much so, actually.

[lightstrike]

"Your people probably aren't here." It was best to nip that in the bud right now, in case newcomers got ideas. "There's no cavalry, and no war here. The locals don't want you for any of your skills with your sword."

A more blunt introduction to the world compared to the letter and the welcoming committee, but Lightning believed it was best to let people know what was really going on without all the fuss.

Especially when it came to soldiers and knights and whatnot.

[for_altea]

"Oh... This world is fortunate, then. That it does not have warring nations as well.."

A ton of other problems, by the sound of the letter though. He took another look around, and then his eyes returned to her face. Perhaps she might think the question strange, but...

"I hope you do not mind if I ask another question. You seem knowledgeable in these matters. Can this world truly be helped? I understand we have to... touch to create power for it. While the concept is strange - I suppose the logic of one world means nothing to another alike the customs of one country mean nothing in another. Yet... when enough power is created, may we return to where we have come from?"

...Or would enough power never be created?

[lightstrike]

Fortunate. Yeah, right. If Lightning were to call anything fortunate, this city with all its problems would not be it.

But she considered his questions, because she didn't think of them before, when she had first arrived. Then again, she didn't care much about this world when she had first come here, and still didn't. It was just that now she had more incentive, as Serah was here. She needed to take care of her sister, after all.

In the end though, she didn't have a definite answer for him. She didn't know how their systems worked, and she was never the type to try and understand that kind of thing. It was more science mixed in with some magic, and Lightning was usually the one holding the gun, not the wrench or screwdriver. She hit things until it got fixed. That's how she was.

"I'm not the best person to ask that kind of question. I don't know what the people who run this place are thinking, but I do know this-- it's better to just do things to survive than to do them to help this world. It's much easier that way."

[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!