INTRO LOG - JUNE 2014

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone
Where: The Welcome Center
When: 18th June, late 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. NPC responses may be slow.

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 cool and relieving food and drink, including some you probably aren't familiar with. It's just as well they're in good supply, as the windows outside show a city well heated from a summer sun.

On the wall opposite are a pair of desks, each with a sign, and one person at her station-

Rhea, General Assistance
Andi, Technological Assistance

The plaques have a shiny new look to them, as do the desks. The one with 'Andi' listed appears to be empty, though. Gathered around both desks and several tables are boxes as well, and...Empty jars? The woman minding her desk doesn't appear to give them a second thought.

However, before you can go over and give at least one of 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 Rhea
Arrival Liaison

Outside, and through the translucent glass you can see a banner hanging from the tiled roof of the building across the street. The cheerful colors on it match well against a bright blue sky:

WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG
(ENJOY YOUR STAY!)

Comments

[toughtalk]

That voice. It was certainly too familiar for Chromia, and like a dog hearing a whistle, she turns her head as fast as it'll go, looking around. Thankfully, Nautica didn't decide to make herself scarce, and she sets eyes on her as soon as she turns.

A look of surprise on her face. Although quickly, it turns to a pout. Amazing! That's got to be a new record.

"And that's as long as I want to stay, Naut."

Cue the arm fold. "You're as chipper as always."

[nerdica]

"What's a little bit of kidnapping against an entirely new world?" A wave of the wrench-free hand towards the outside, the other using said wrench to tap an uneven rhythm against the plating of her thigh. "I've run a systems diagnostic already, they didn't tamper with anything except uh. Height, oddly enough, and I'm not certain how they managed to do that to begin with."

There's probably a book on it, and Nautica is resolved to find and read it when she's got the chance. But she vents a sigh and looks at the banner before turning her attention back at Chromia.

"And has intimidating the organics gotten us any closer to getting out?"

Us. Oh yes, because now that Nautica has found her she's not letting her one friend escape easily.

[toughtalk]

"Height? That would...explain a lot."

Because she seriously doesn't remember being told humans were this large. And from the looks of it, she's not too excited to get to know any of them. Chromia wasn't one to think too hard about the possibilities of magic or whatever was used to shrink her. She'll let Nautica have the fun there.

"It's gotta work on someone. Here, let me try it on those two at the desk."

And she starts walking. Better stop her now, Nautica.

[nerdica]

"Wait--" Nautica walks quickly to catch up, trying to slide in front of the other woman. "What have we talked about? Violence doesn't solve problems, it just makes you fight a war for four million years."

And no one should ever think that's a good idea.

[toughtalk]

And just like clockwork, Chromia stops. There were few things that could put the brakes on this bodyguard, but Nautica was definitely one of them. Although it's met with the eyeroll of the century.

"Yeah, yeah violence causes problems but it also gets information."

...and her arms fold, almost in a pout.

"It's not like I'd hurt em too badly."

[nerdica]

"Do you know what else gets information? Asking. And anyway, I'm still rusty on my threats and it'd be more effective if both of us were doing it."

But Nautica gently places a hand on Chromia's arm and gestures towards the food.

"C'mon, let's see if they have some engex and then let's go see who else is here."

[toughtalk]

But asking is so BORING. That lip pouts up a moment, shoulder wheels even hunched up, before eventually 'sighing', all that body language sagging.

"Fine. Rust-kibbled kidnappers better have your favourite, or I'm never gonna hear the end of it."

Was that a joke? Let's take it that way.

[nerdica]

"Oh, do you think they will? I suppose if they've got everything else then there's no reason for them to not--"

Which means her attention is focused on the drinks, abandoning Chromia while she picks up two likely candidates. Returning to her friend and gently offering it, she stares into the energon with a look of concentration.

"I'm not sure where they're getting it, but it looks like the real thing."

[toughtalk]

Chromia watches, waiting for her to return with the spoils before holding a hand out to take that Energon. It looked like Energon, at least. And Nautica out of anyone would know what was and wasn't the stuff. She swirls it idly while she waits for the verdict, eyebrow raising at the actual result.

"Really? Think it's the -real- deal, and not the converted stuff?"

[nerdica]

"There's only one way to find out!"

Which is Nautica's cue to take a sip. She holds it in her mouth for a second, letting the taste wash over her before swallowing. There's probably something about smelling the aroma too, but following direct procedure isn't really her style.

"Hmm, well there's a subtle undertone that probably means it's synthesized rather than mined but beyond that I don't think anyone would be able to tell the difference."

[toughtalk]

Chromia has to give her credit--that's quite the eager sip for something that was questionably energon. But if anyone would know if it was real or fake, it'd be Nautica. So there's an awkward silence as she watches, attempting to read her facial expressions.

See: attempting.


But when the verdict comes through, there's a slight smile, looking over her glass. "Well, could always be worse, I guess. Especially from humans."

[nerdica]

"C'mon, try it." A friendly nudge of her elbow into Chromia's side while she continues to drink her own.

It won't kill them, at any rate. Although she's been eying some of the human drinks. For science.