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

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.

[gaggles]

That is a perfectly good reason to be a little miffed at having some weird kid block your road.
...Not that it helps Gordin when he has no idea, but still. He jerks a little, hastily scooping up his gear and hopping to his feet with a distinct lack of grace; there's no point in being a burden, right?

"Um, ah-- I'm sorry, Miss! I didn't mean to keep you--"

Oh gosh, that's quite the suit of armour. ...And quite the lady in general; please give him a few seconds while he flubs over his syllables in awe and fear.


Aaaand...There we go, he's back to full functionality. "That is, I'm sorry ma'am! Thank you for the warning!"
After a hasty bow or three (and despite his worsening, blotchy flush), he has the gall to bother Lightning even more; she does seem unfazed by being here despite clearly being a knight of some kind, and so she might speak in terms that he understands. "Uh, if you don't mind my asking...This isn't a very large prison or anything like that, is it? Are we still near Altea?"

[lightstrike]

If he's looking for an actual knight, Lightning's definitely not it, because she scoffs softly at his question. She's a soldier, even if she's spent most of her recent time in this armor as the protector of a goddess, and being honorable is something she left behind in training.

"This is a city, not a prison." She's of the opinion that 'prison' is far too off the mark. Prisons are noisier. "If this was a prison, they'd have taken our weapons and armor by now."

She doesn't know what in the world an Altea is, but she guesses it's where he's from. "We're far away from our respective homes-- think about that for a bit."

[gaggles]

Knight, soldier; same difference as far as he's concerned. But he is also painfully naive, so there's that; the idea that honour is something that anyone who fights for something could leave behind is beyond his reckoning.

"...Oh, phew. I'd not fancy being imprisoned again, so that's good news!"
Gordin offers a grateful smile as small compensation; it does seem rather silly to ask such a thing when he indeed has his garb intact, and that had been one of the first things they'd removed him of last time.

The news that they're actually nowhere near Altea (that she's never even heard of it shows that they mustn't be on the same continent) only raises more questions, but he can handle those later. No point in wasting his helpful guide's time, after all.
"Ah, alright...Alright, so the letter isn't a joke, this isn't a dream, and I'm actually needed here. So you're in the same boat?" He scratches his chin, looking rather thoughtful for a good few seconds as he examines Lightning's face. "...I know it's probably not worth much, but um...I'm sorry that you're here and not home. You look like someone who'd be missed, I think."
Whether it's for what's an obvious fighting prowess or for whatever family she's left behind, he's not sure. Going with both seems to be the safest option.

[lightstrike]

The man's comment of being missed hits hard. Of course she's missed-- she's watched Serah spend three years of her life wishing she was home, and wanting to be home for her sister. But she couldn't because she was needed.

But she doesn't need this guy reminding her of her shortcomings, and locks all of that away. She can mull it over in private.

"It's all too elaborate to be a joke. We're all stuck here for the time being-- unless you somehow manage to get home." Like she had before, but she's back and... honestly she'd rather have been left alone.

[beforetights]

Unfortunately, Cu Chulainn does trip. And he's not happy about it.

"Hey! Who left these things here?"

He angrily kicks the bow. but it hurts his foot. So instead, he grabs it, lifting it up with his enhanced strength and throwing in a random direction.

omfg 1/3

[gaggles]

That's totally fair enough, because bows are nasty little things to get your foot snagged in. And Gordin's actually on his way to apologising already, surprised by the sudden onslaught of noise out of nowhere. Totally his fault, not the best way to make friends, yada yada yada....


Wait did he just kick the bow?

2/3

[gaggles]

DID THIS GUY JUST THROW HIS BOW?

aaand done!!

[gaggles]

Oh that is not happening that is not on. It's a rare thing that Gordin should ever be so infuriated that he disregards the obvious fact that he's just a skinny runt of an archer and therefore nigh-useless in a fight, but...

That's his bow.

"Excuse me! That was my bow, that I made myself with my own two hands and that I've been fighting for my lord with and-- and you just damaged it and what if I can't find it again?!"
He's on his feet already, in the process of putting his quiver back on and trying not to go doing something he'll regret. It takes a good few, heavy breaths to get the dangerous look out of his eyes (mostly), and when he speaks again it's oddly strangled. "I'm sorry for tripping you with my gear, Mister. But I'd really appreciate it if you didn't, ah...Go breaking the one weapon I have."

He waits a second, fists clenching as he glowers. This is so very, very hard for him, oops. "And if you'd go get it back. Please."

I apologize for this little troublemaker

[beforetights]

Having worked himself up into a rage, Cu Chulainn is not easily calmed down. Especially not by people getting aggressive at him. Though young, he's a warrior who has stared death in the face before (even if his enemy was a hound and not a human). He isn't quailed by killing intent so much as he is worked up by it.

"You're stupid! If that was weapon, then it's your partner! You should've taken better care of it! Not put it out where people could trip over it! It's better off broken than in your hands!"

Nevertheless, he does stomp off in the direction of the bow. Mostly because it's a weapon, so he wants to take it home with him.

"Even if it's not broken, I'm not giving it back to you! Stupid! Meanie!"

omg no he's adorable in an angry way uvu (i AM sorry for Gordin tho he's a big tool)

[gaggles]

Ohhhh boy. To be honest, as soon as the words are out of his mouth Gordin regrets them; he's not one for anger but being so stressed + watching his hard work get punted about and thrown by a boy younger than his brother--

Well, it's kind of unusual circumstances. But that's not stopping him wincing apologetically even before Cu Chulainn lectures him; it's no one's fault but his own that it was even in the way, so it's up to him to take it like a man. Or something.

"Wait-- Wait!"

Posture much less aggressive, he rushes after the strange kid and moves to block his path. "You're right. I'm really, really sorry for getting upset when it was my fault, and I should take care of my things better! I'm so sorry, um...I'm sorry, y-young master."

Why he's begging for mercy rather than just running ahead and grabbing his bow before it gets taken is anyone's guess (okay it's not really, Gordin's just that guilty over getting snitty like that). "Please forgive me! You didn't deserve to get yelled at!"

poor Gordin

[beforetights]

Cu Chulainn is so startled by the sudden change in attitude that he forgets to be angry for a moment. He crosses his arms and huffs.

"Well, I hope you've learned your lesson now. No more treating your bow badly."

It takes him some time, but after sulking for a few more seconds, he reaches up to grab Gordin's hand.

"If you promise to respect your partner from now on, I'll help you find your bow."

[heretic_hamlet]

Thankfully Ramza's surprise came at seeing the bow on the ground rather than stumbling over it. Career swordsmen were a rare enough sight in Saeng Seong, but this was the first archer he'd seen stumble out from the welcome center. In and of itself, it was a new sight among the arrivals.

The bow's owner, on the other hand, was a sadly more familiar sight as a bewildered guest; the city alone was a jarring change of scenery, and its method of bringing guests to its door even more so. But this one seemed far more distraught for his journey than most Ramza had seen in the months since his own arrival.

Of course, he had nothing but sympathy; he had been in the same predicament only so long ago- and perhaps this archer was straight from a battlefield, himself- and the poor soul's starvation from physical contact couldn't have helped matters any. And as Ramza strode over, he sought to rouse Gordon from his torpor with a quick pat to his shoulder as he addressed him.

"Are you well? You do not look it..."

[gaggles]

There's a joke in him being the first archer in Saeng Seong, surely; luckily he's not prone to meta. When he realises that he's not alone, Gordin...Er, well he yelps and nearly gives himself whiplash from jerking his head around so fast.

"Ah! I-I-- that is, um...I suppose I've been better, Mister. Haha..."
At least Ramza's a friendly face, which is the next best thing to a familiar and friendly face. Gordin's almost pained expression turns into relief as he turns a little to avoid further hurting his neck.
"I've also been worse, for what it's worth. Unless you're here with binds? Either way, it's not often I go to train and end up...Here?"

Which, as long as he's free, doesn't seem such a bad place to be. Now he just needs to find out if his brother's here or not and things can perhaps be a little better still.

[heretic_hamlet]

The staff at the center could explain all they wanted, but... well, Ramza supposed that the fact of the matter was a little hard to grasp. If only for the man's jitters, Ramza kept his hand on his shoulder as he settled into a seated position beside him-- after a quick peek behind the two of them, to make sure they didn't entirely block the entrance.

Though Ramza still gave him a bit of an odd look when he mentioned bindings. After a moment's thought, he simply shook his head. "Don't be mislead by the means of your arrival. You are not here as a prisoner, but as a guest."

"...Though it's a jarring arrival to be sure," he muttered. "I was taken nearly in mid-swing."

[gaggles]

...It also doesn't help that Gordin hadn't so much as breathed on the staff; they did look very busy, and with the state he's in, there's not much he could take in before they'd likely lose their patience.
But it might have stopped Gordin's flightier tendencies from surfacing.

No point in dwelling on that, though; he'd much rather try and focus on how calming Ramza's grip is turning out to be (ah, small gestures of camaraderie) than freak himself out more.

"Oh gods, that's a relief. I thought it might be a bit of an odd prison, but...Once bitten, twice shy and all that. Haha..."
His lips clamp together after that, lest he blab any further and go into even more unpleasant territory. Best to stay niiiice and shallow, yessir.

"...So you're a swordsman? I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with a weapon. Carting around my bow seems to get me a few odd looks here. For what it's worth, I was trying to train when I, er. Fell asleep? 'S the last thing I remember, anyway; almost like they're trying to make it inconvenient for us."

[noparachute]

Steve sometimes visits the welcoming center around this time, see if he can help out at all. So he notices Gordin sitting right in front of the building with a... bow nearby. Looks to be more of a traditional type and judging by his outfit, maybe they're a standard weapon for his time? He knows Hawkeye and his bow and even if it's a bit advanced, he still uses one over guns.

Anyway, Steve walks up to Gordin to address him, being careful not to trip over anything.

"Might wanna move some place else." His tone is polite and he seems to be easygoing enough. "Your current position could cause some people to trip around here."

[gaggles]

If only Gordin could hope to pull off the archery thing as well as Hawkeye; alas, he's still just--
Okay, so he's 'the best archer in Altea', but far as he's concerned, he's no better than an apprentice.

Anyway. He's distracted enough that somehow, somehow he completely misses Steve approaching and ends up nearly throwing the welcome folder at him in shock.
Nearly, thank Naga. As is, the folder stays in his hand and he just ends up going a violent shade of red at being so easily taken by surprise.

"Oh, er-- Yes, yes of course! I'm terribly sorry, Mister..."
Gordin laughs nervously as he gathers his bow and quiver to his chest, standing unsteadily as an arrow slips out.
Smooth. Ah well, nothing for it but to pick the stupid thing up and keep babbling on, right? Right.
"Guess I wasn't thinking straight to go throwing my gear around like that. Thanks for letting me know I was causing trouble, haha..."

[noparachute]

"Take it easy, son." Steve really doesn't know how old he is, but he looks young and apparently easily flustered. He's apparently a soldier of some sort though, judging by the armor he's wearing. "And it's okay, no harm done." It's evident that he's one of the new people that arrived here, so Steve figures that he should try and offer his help. It's the least he can do.

"You're one of the new arrivals here, correct? I'd be happy to help." Being thrust into a new world is never easy, Steve knows that at least. Jarring to say the least.

[gaggles]

Wincing, Gordin nods and brings the envelope to sit wedged between some of his arrows; given how much of a flighty broad he's prone to being at times, the less projectiles available the better.
Especially when he's obviously not in immediate danger.

"I'm sorry again for nearly throwing my gear at you, Mister; it's no way to treat anyone, really."
No point in dwelling on it overlong though; he brushes off his little 'episode' with a nervous laugh and plows onward. "...Eh, is it that obvious? Then again..." Looking at the envelope, he smiles thinly and jiggles it enough to make his new key jingle. "I suppose everyone gets one of these; I can't see why I'd be special enough to get a gift over anyone else. But, um! That's really kind of you to offer, Mister; really, really kind actually."

The smile turns into something a little less sour and a lot more bright gratitude; it's been a long time since he's received friendliness from anyone outside of the army and it shows. "The first thing that I should be asking is whether or not all the stuff on this letter is true, then. I mean...Nothing against anyone here, but I'm not keen on touching other people, even if it's to help."

Re: ota < x

[madeofclay]

Annie is determined to help all the new people today! Especially the ones who look lost or depressed. At least, everyone in the welcome center... She's pretty sure being on the steps count, too, so long as you're new!

That's why Gordin could be treated to the newbie super hero walking toward him in her new super hero costume! Yellow cape, blue boots, green tights, and a red emblazoned P on her chest... Clearly, an image to bring confidence to all!

"What's wrong?" she asked, standing at the bottom of the steps.

[gaggles]

As out of sorts as he is, Gordin certainly can't miss Annie when she's dressed so vibrantly. It's more of a glimpse of her general form out of his peripheral vision, but when he looks up and gives her due attention--

...Well that's definitely not the sort of get-up he's used to seeing. Okay, so the tights and cape are. But not many back home had letters on their person. What could it mean?

"Eh? Oh, sorry...You see, I was training and waiting for my teacher to come along...And now I'm here, and I don't know what happened or whether this letter is telling the truth or-- Or anything, really."

He puffs out his cheeks, frustrated that he's showing weakness in front of a complete stranger, and a child to boot. C'mon Gordin, you're a seasoned soldier! Pull yourself together! "Eurgh, sorry. Everything's a little fuzzy right now, but I'm sure it'll all become clear soon enough!"

[madeofclay]

She's not a child! She's a potentially ageless shapeshifter of questionable age! She does have awesome lettering, though, and she's quite glad he noticed it. Robin told her that she'd needed a symbol for people to focus on.

"I think it's true," she admitted, voice a little soft. She was trying to be comforting, but she couldn't quite keep the thoughtfulness from her voice. She didn't really know herself...

[gaggles]

Oh gods, there'd been a shapeshifter of undetermined age in the army back home; rather unnerving fellow, had a tendency to shift into pretty girls and spook anyone he could come across with a love confession.
Gordin's all the better for not being able to compare Annie here to Xane. That would be a bit of a mess.

And he might ask if Annie's a dragon. Even more of a mess.

"Well, thinking it's true is better than knowing it's a lie, right?" he offers, trying to sound cheerful for both their sakes. "It's definitely not the worst situation I've been in, so I can't really complain. A bed, a small wage...Way better than the march from Altea to Talys--"
Okay, enough prattling on; clearly, Altea and Talys don't mean much at all here, and he doesn't want to overwhelm the poor girl when she's helping him out. With a quiet, self-deprecating snort, Gordin gets to his feet, gathers his gear up, and bows.

That's what you do with ladies, right? Riiiiight. "Sorry 'bout that. I'm Gordin, Miss. I really like your outfit!"