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

[pendragon]

... ? [ Saber slowly turns towards the excited boy and then looks down at him. She's unsure what to say and continues to let him babble on for a moment, if only because she's somewhat startled that this boy knows her true identity and she has no idea who he is. The knight then interrupts him when he goes to take a breath. ]

I- pardon me. ..Who are you?

[ Blue hair? He kind of seemed like Lancer from the Fifth, but.. Bloody, was her memory impacted? ]

[beforetights]

[He blinks in surprise.]

My name is Cu Chulainn. Don't you remember me, Lord?

[pendragon]

[ Saber tilts her head slightly, and then looks closely at the boy. Cu Chulainn. Yes, blue hair. Maybe he sounds and looks like Lancer would as a boy? Saber can't be sure. ] I remember a Cu Chulainn from the Fifth Grail War, and he certainly never called me Lord.

[beforetights]

...What's a Grail War?

[He scratches his head.]

Did you meet me when I was all big and grown up?

[pendragon]

I believe I may have. [ Saber nods, even though she is unsure even about that. For some reason, it doesn't quite feel right to mark this boy as the Lancer she knows. She could easily be proven wrong, especially in such a strange place, so she decides to leave the subject alone.

Besides, this boy is young. And there is no reason to tell him of such things as Grail Wars and everything else. However.. ]

I was wondering if.. you would consider calling me by Saber from now on, instead of what you were. I would like to figure out what is going on here and adjust.

[ Remembering this is a child, even though she has such little experience with them, Saber decides to soften the offer. ] Think of it as a secret.

[beforetights]

[He giggles and nods.]

You sure have a lot of secrets you want me to keep, King--Saber. Don't worry. I'll keep it as well as I've kept your other secret! I swear on my name as a hero.

[pendragon]

[ That's something Saber can't let slide. She's not really much of a person to hide anything. ] ..What other secret would that be? And.. how do I know you? Where did we meet?

[ Was she here before? That wouldn't make much sense. Saber had always kept her memories while changing times. The letter did say people came from other worlds, though, so was this not even her normal world? Perhaps that would change the rules. ]

[beforetights]

[He looks at her curiously.]

You don't remember? You were here before. It was a few moon cycles ago.

[Even with his short attention span, Cu Chulainn still remembers her.]

[pendragon]

No, I do not remember this at all. [ She furrows her eyebrows, thinking. ] I do remember what I was doing right before this, or.. at least, I think I do.

[ Shifting the letter and the envelope into the same hand that's holding up Excalibur, Saber sets her now free hand on her hip. ] That is why I do not remember you.

[beforetights]

Is it because it's been such a long time?

[He frowns.]

You don't look much older than the last time we met.

[pendragon]

..Just as I am not sure you are the same Cu Chulainn I know, I may not be the same Saber you know. [ She tilts her head downwards slightly, thinking. ] Maybe it is best not to dwell on it. I may not remember you, but there is no reason we can not get to know each other again.

[ Saber can't help but frown, somewhat disheartened. It's not really because of what he said, but the gravity of the situation is starting to weigh in. ]

[beforetights]

Oh.

[He scratches his head, still not quite getting it.]

...Well, I guess we can do that.

[He quickly gives her a little bow.]

I'm Cu Chulainn. It's a pleasure to meet you, Saber.

[pendragon]

[ Saber is unable to help but smile. This little boy just took something as serious as what she said, and went with it. He could have been upset that she was refusing to say she knew him, but he was taking it well. It was admirable. The knight smiles softly to the smaller boy before her. ]

Well met, Cu Chulainn. [ Calling him that feels strange, and she hopes she doesn't accidentally call him Lancer in the future. ] Have you been here for quite some time?

[beforetights]

[He nods quickly.]

Yes, Lord Saber, I've been here for many moon cycles. From summer all the way until spring!

[pendragon]

No need to call me Lord. Saber is a title as is, and.. well, I'm far away from home. [ She smiles softly, even if it is a bit saddened.

Turning entirely towards Cu, Excalibur disappears from her hands as she looks down at him curiously. ]

Who takes care of you? Or.. are you taking care of yourself? [ Saber is definitely the last person who you would ask about parenting, but this boy seems a bit too young to be living on his own. ]

[beforetights]

I'm living with my big brother! We take care of each other. Don't worry about us.

[Thankfully, Saber hasn't seen them set their house on fire yet.]

[pendragon]

[ Saber gives a nod in response, content to hear that this boy is not living alone. ]

So, Cu Chulainn. Can you tell me about the city and what it is like to live here? It sounds as if I may be here for a while. [ Normally, Saber would just ask for information more directly, but.. she's going to try this socializing thing out, as it sounds necessary here, and on top of it, this is a child. She's unsure if direct questioning would be the best way to go about it. ]

[beforetights]

It's a really fun city. It has a park and a zoo and a mall! I think you'll like living here. Just remember to give people hugs.

[pendragon]

Remember to give hugs.. [ She frowns slightly. Right, that was.. part of the requirement for this city.

The knight shakes her head briefly before speaking again. ]

It has been quite a day. I think I will attempt to find my apartment soon. Can you tell me a bit about the network here?

[beforetights]

Yeah, like this.

[He quickly reaches to give her a hug. Surprise!]

Um...the network is like a window. You can use it to talk to people on videos or type messages. I like using the video better, though. It's confusing to read the texts.

[pendragon]

[ Saber remains still as the boy reaches for her. Realizing she's being unfriendly, she then steps forward into the hug and puts her hands on the back of his shoulders. Sure, she feels somewhat strange hugging this child she just .. met(?), but Saber also realizes she's not the most understanding of situations like this and the boy only means the best.

She gently grips onto his shoulders, pulling him into her form somewhat. After all, she is wearing her armor and she doesn't want to hurt him. ]

I see, so do this once in a while. I understand. [ She nods, and then lets the boy go. ] Video and text. It sounds much like a cell phone. Thank you for the information, Cu Chulainn. I will.. pick up a device tomorrow.

[beforetights]

[He shivers at the feel of her armor. It's cold and smooth.]

[He shakes his head as he hears her final statement.]

No, you don't get a device. They're all on the walls of the buildings we live in.

[pendragon]

No device? Inconvenient. { She tilts her head slightly as she thinks about it. Well, perhaps it is not that bad. Saber just immediately thought of a cell phone when he described it. ] I will have to find one later today.

[ The knight bows her upper form very briefly to the boy. ] I appreciate the information, Cu Chulainn. And.. I am sure we will be in contact.

[beforetights]

If you wanna talk to me, you can just come to my room. I'm in building 3. Room 2-05.

[He gives Saber a bow in return.]