rekindleme | Intro Log

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Intro Log - March 2014

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!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Not so much as presents, our kidnappers need us alive to generate energy for them. Giving us a comfortable place to stay definitely helps with that." Steve is a little more bitter about Saeng Seong than he used to be, but being brought here twice now with his memories being messed with contributed to that. "But... it is good that everyone gets a roof over their heads. Won't argue with that." Steve doesn't want to be a complete downer around the new guy. The kidnappers have done something wrong, but they haven't hurt anyone further. He will give them that.

Gordin's enthusiasm helps put Steve in a better mood though. "I'm not too bad at close combat myself, be happy to help if you need any advice." He sparred with a couple of individuals here already and Steve is more than happy to help someone that really wants to learn.

"...It could be worse. Being a prisoner is never fun, but...Would anyone help them otherwise?"
Gordin certainly wouldn't, and he's well aware of that. "It'll be nice to sleep inside for once, too! My teacher's too fond of impromptu survival practice, y'see. As long as they don't pull anything funny, I'll be alright with helping where I can."
It's not the most comfortable situation, no; if he hadn't dreamed of living in servitude to a cause for so long, it'd chafe a hell of a lot more.
As is, he'll take the city with a grain of salt, make the best of it, and hope like hell that nothing goes wrong. Famous last words and all.

"Eh, 'not too bad'?" That earns an appraising squint as Gordin leans from side to side to get a better picture of Steve's physique. ...Hopefully without being creepy. Okay it's probably creepy. "If you'll excuse my saying so, Mister...You look like you have the build of a General! Right at home in a giant suit of armour and all that; if anyone could teach me how to not fall over soon as throw a punch, I reckon it'd be someone like you...So I thank you for your offer! Haha, this will be so much better than trying to hug or touch strangers!"

Oh boy, someone's a little too excited over learning how to fistfight...

"There's some that like being here, imagine that if they asked they'd get at least some volunteers." Steve didn't think there was much justification for kidnapping, even if he did understand their plight and wanting to restore energy to the city. It wasn't for a bad cause, but it didn't erase the fact that no one had any choice about coming here.

He stood around a bit awkwardly as Gordin leaned to look at him a little more. This definitely wasn't the first time it happened to him, but it still wasn't something he was used to. Not after he grew up as a skinny kid most of his life. But Steve didn't do anything to push him aside, it wasn't like Gordin had any malicious intentions. At least, that was what he thought.

"Just a captain. Captain Steve Rogers." He smiled at him, figuring that he should introduce himself now. "But just Steve is fine. Once you're settled, contact me when you want to start."

"Mm, that's a good point! I mean, if you ask the right way then you'll always have people willing to help."
This is quite the little puzzle; back in Altea, things were always much more black and white. Enemy, person with enemy who became ally, or ally. The archer's brain is pedalling furiously to try and work out just what the right answer is, but for now he's going to stick with cautious positivity.

Examination complete (and yes, thankfully free of malice), Gordin's rather confident in his choice of hand-to-hand teacher. How can you go wrong with someone who looks like he could punch a wyvern in the face and come out on top? He's about to make some sort of silly little remark about his 'good taste in teachers' or something, but--

"A-- A Captain? Of your own platoon?" Eyes bulging in awe, he dips down into a bow; by Naga, how disrespectful had he been, and to a superior of all people? "I-I'm Gordin, a simple archer of Altea. It's an honour to meet you, Steve...And I can't wait to start training with you!"

Steve nodded, that was the general idea at least. He had enough faith in people that there would be enough volunteers to help.

"Used to have my own, disbanded after the war was over." He wanted to simplify things for right now, no need to mention that he was lost in the ice and woke up nearly 70 years later with nearly everyone he worked with dead. That would be a bit awkward thing to talk about on a first conversation to say the least. Gordin was a nice young man, but he still didn't know him too well and he had enough to worry about.

And he wasn't sure if the Avengers really counted. They're not quite a traditional group.

Oh, and he was bowing now- what a respectful guy. Steve stood around for a few seconds before deciding to bow as well. Just because he was a higher rank, it didn't mean that Gordin's position meant any less. Sure he only worked with one archer so far, but he thought that Clint was just as important as anyone else during the battle of New York. "It's nice meeting you, Gordin. I'll do my best."

"Disbanded? Lucky-- Er..."
No, that definitely came out wrong. The camaraderie with fellow soldiers is something else, and without an army to march in, Gordin's--
Useless, really. Archery doesn't have a practical application bar hunting. "What I mean to say is that I'm glad your war is over. Not that you got separated from your friends! If there's one thing that's good from fighting, I think it's the people you meet during."
Certainly when loyalty and affection is the glue that keeps their ragtag army so tight; it's almost as if Altea thrives off of sunshine and rainbows to let its sons spout such naive nonsense.

Simple is definitely good right now, given that he's still floundering (and trying to draw parallels from home to stop the overwhelming 'fish out of water' sensation). Being introduced to more complex concepts (seriously, the Hulk?) would probably reduce him to tears of exhaustion.

Oh gods okay, okay they're both bowing now oh goodness. Once he's straightened up, Gordin smiles in a bizarre mix of shy admiration and excitement and nervously fiddles with the hem of his tunic. "Ah...I can't believe you're a Captain! That's really cool, y'know, even if you're not fighting any more. And you want to teach me of all people! Haha!"

He did frown a little at Gordin's comment before he tried to fix what he said, but Steve at least didn't have the time to respond to it before Gordin elaborated more. He didn't think he was all that lucky, but it was good that the war was over. "A camaraderie that forms during a war. Hard to find bonds like that outside of it." Steve said, his voice a little lower than before. He missed the Howling Commandos... Bucky, but the latter died before the war was even over.

"I take it that your war is still continuing?" Gordin did look ready for battle, with the armor and bow and arrows ready.

Steve straightened up as well, politely waiting for the young archer to speak again. "Not in a war anymore, but still wanna keep my skills up. Need to be ready in case something happens around here. Never hurts to be prepared, right?" He wanted to reassure him, Gordin seemed to put himself down a bit. "And don't sell yourself short."

Steve's frown doesn't go unnoticed; thank Naga that Gordin had moved so fast to cover his little flub. The routine and company...That much will go wanting when he's gone back to living on his family's farm. He's just hoping that he didn't accidentally rub it in and make an ass of himself.
"Yeah...It's kind of scary, too. What if no one wants to be around you after the war? I'm kind of worried that'll happen, hahaha. But that's just me being daft, really; I'm sure that things will work out! It's a little hard to not be friends with people once you see so many terrible things together."
Oh no Gordin just stop talking.

"...It finished two years ago, but...Things are still a little topsy-turvy, really. It's not peace yet, but I know that with time, milord will get us all there!"
He sounds rather sheepish when he admits that; really, why is he still in full armour when things are starting to look up for once? What an impression to give off...Clearly he's going to have to invest in some civilian gear if he plans on making some sort of peace here.
At least he's not the only one who likes being prepared for everything. Hearing as such is enough to make him relax enough to actually, properly grin.

Hey, if someone cool like Steve is all about that boyscout life, then Gordin's not a loser for doing it too. It's strangely comforting to realise that.
"Mm, I think that's smart! If something does happen and we're needed to fight, then the city can count on us! That's what being a soldier's about!"
Okay, maybe he's finding it a little too comforting given how he's laughing rather than stammering out apologies over being caught out talking down on himself. Honestly, from one extreme to the other...
"Haha, sorry 'bout that. I, er-- my teacher says that when I do that, it holds me back. Sorry if it's annoying or anything."

"You're not daft wondering about it." Steve hoped that he would have survived the war, maybe ask Peggy out eventually. He didn't think that no one would want to be around him afterward, but now that he was awake in an unfamiliar era, he really understood what Gordin was speaking of. "Think it's important to keep a head about these things. I hope that your friends do stick around, though. Always easier with someone by your side."

Steve nodded, peace definitely didn't come easy. Even if the battle was won, there were still more hurdles to overcome. He wasn't there for the direct aftermath of his war and 70 years later, things still were a bit... crazy. Heck, just a few years after World War I and the Great Depression hit. "The post-war time can be just as difficult, in its own way. But I'm sure he appreciates the support you give him."

He definitely was for the boyscout life. Well, at least part of it. "Still got a duty to the people, even if they're not our own. If they need protection, I'd be happy to give it." Steve looked patient as Gordin apologized again. "And don't worry about that, just wanted to let you know."

"...Thanks, C-- Steve! I hope-- Um, well. If your friends aren't here, then I hope that they're waiting for you at home. And either way, that you all have many years more together."
Hands clasping neatly together, Gordin bobs his head in grateful acquiescence. No use worrying about the future anyway, when his friends are currently not here; might as well try to make the best of this and work on his social skills while he's at it, right?

Thousands of years' worth of technological developments between their worlds, and things still weren't much past kingdoms squabbling between themselves on the pickings of war. Ah, people. "Mm, don't I know it! There seem to be twice as many bandits picking on villages these days, and times are hard even now for the people. We're just lucky that we have a good leader to follow and believe in; I'd give my life a million times over for milord, just so he could make everything better."
Oh no, Gordin's pet topic; Marth. It's almost like his eyes light up when he gets to mention his lord general, such is the fond reverence. How gross. "I can't imagine how hard it would be if we couldn't follow him and know that we did what was right."

If only they could obtain badges and naff uniforms-- Oh, right. He's talking again.
"Mmhmm! Maybe once things settle down and I learn some techniques from you on the old one-two, I can start up a group of rangers or something, to keep everyone safe! If anyone would want to, of course...That way someone's keeping an eye on the city, but you can relax!"
After all, 'rangers' implies bowmanship. And horseriding. And camping. And communing with animals. And-- Things that a lot of people probably didn't dig in a volunteer job. But if it could take some of the burden off of everyone who's into a military career, then...
Totally worth it. Totally going to be useful. Aw yes.

Steve forced out a smile at that comment, but he didn't say anything in return. He appreciated the sentiment that Gordin was going for, even if none of his friends from the war was there anymore. But... there were the Avengers, even if he didn't know them too well. It was still something at least, better than when he initially woke up. Besides, he still had stuff to do, a duty to help out and protect people.

"Sounds like you really believe in him. That goes a long way for some people, knowing that they have their friends' trust." Of course he was speaking a little bit on the obvious side, but Steve thought it would be nice to mention still. Gordin's lord must really inspire people, judging by the way his eyes lit up when he continued to talk about him.

"I'm sure there would be other people interested in joining that." He didn't know of any archers, but there was bound to be some people here that could do it, right? Steve didn't want to put down his idea either. "Still plan on doing my part in this city, not sure if I could just sit around and relax."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Intro Log - March 2014

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sorry for the lateness!

it's okay ;v; i'm slowest of the slow tbh so you're fine!

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