rekindleme | INTRO LOG

INTRO LOG - JUNE 2014

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!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Diarmuid seems to notice that dark look, but he's not really sure what to make of it. As a result, he just does his best to answer the question that has been asked to him, "One time we were all really hot or really cold, and we had to touch someone who was the opposite of us to bring our temperatures back to normal. Another time, somehow some weird candy and flowers got out and made people do weird things like dance or sing. I was lucky enough to avoid it, but a friend of mine was not."

September hadn't been too bad of a dancer, though, even if the Observer had probably never danced before a day in his life.

Temperature he can handle and being "made" to do something strange like dancing sounds... bizarre, but there's a distinct lack of what he was expecting to hear, and he wants to make sure that's not just because the boy didn't mention it.

"Nothing that hurt?"

His eyes are just just barely wider than they were a moment ago, a hint of hope hidden behind them.

"Not that I know of! I haven't been affected by everything, but the temperatures didn't hurt. It just got kind of uncomfortable sometimes. Some people got turned into animals for a short time once. I wasn't one of them, but no one said anything about it hurting! I don't think they mean for anything to happen to us when these things happen. They are just accidents! We are here to help them, after all. We can't do that if we are sick or hurt!" Diarmuid seems very convinced about the good intentions of their captives, but considering his age and general good-nature, it isn't too surprising.

A little reassured by the answer, the man looks away, dismissing the other incidents for now, although he won't forget what Diarmuid said. Anything that might possibly be useful is important to remember, even if he doesn't feel entirely ready to process it at the moment. The most important part--that these scientists haven't done anything painful like HYDRA did--has been accounted for, and that's enough for now.

But he doesn't entirely believe these things haven't been intentional. It could show through his voice if he spoke in anything other than monotone.

"Did they say that?"

Considering that "helping them" mostly entailed touching others, he couldn't see how injury or illness would seriously impede that. In fact, when one was hurt or sick, didn't that generally mean someone would need to touch that person to assist them?

Diarmuid isn't quite sure which 'that' the man is referring to and it shows by how he tilts his head. Still, he is going to try his best to answer the question.

"They told us that the incidents were accidents in a Network post. They tend to use the Network when they want to tell everyone something important!" Of course, because he is just learning to read, Diarmuid doesn't understand everything that has been talked about in those posts. In fact, he has completely missed the fact there seems to be some mysterious person who is challenging some of the things the head priestess, Rhea, has claimed.

"They haven't directly said anything about if being sick and stuff would make it harder to help them, but I think that is just natural! When you are hurt or sick, you just want to go curl up somewhere and be left alone until you feel better!" Diarmuid's age is showing through here as his mind doesn't seem to go in the same direction that Bucky's has. He's just thinking about how he doesn't like doing things or going out when he feels sick as opposed to the fact that others would likely come to him to help should he be either of those things.

It seemed this network was something he'd have to get the hang of and quickly, if he was going to keep up with things going on around here. If their captors used it to speak with them and he could use it contact them, he might be able to trace them as well, and find answers his own way. But later.

Diarmuid's answer only solidified his assumptions, thinking the boy's judgment to be faulty, but it was to be expected. He was young and inexperienced with being a captive, the one thing the soldier was well-acquainted with. How not to trust.

"How do you work the network terminals?" he asked, having heard about them from the women he spoke to earlier. The more he knows beforehand the better, and taking the situation one thing at a time--not completely unlike a mission--is helping his head stop spinning.

Diarmuid motions toward the doors of the building they are in, "I can show you if you would like! There is a media center on the first floor of Building 1 and that is where most new arrivals are assigned to live. I can help you find your apartment afterward too since it is likely to be right there!"

He could try to just explain the process to Bucky, but since he is from a world without anything like the terminals and the Network, it is easier for him to point to things and say how they work. He doesn't remember all the proper names and might easily end up confusing the person he is taking to and himself otherwise.

He looks to the doors, going over what he's learned here and what he's done, and eventually decides that he has no need to remain here. He was attempting to cope with the drastic change in situation (again) and process everything he'd learned, but now he feels he's wasted enough time on being idle. Now is not the time for waiting; it's the time for action.

The soldier returns his attention to Diarmuid and stands, ready to follow. "Alright."

"Okay! It's not too far away," Diarmuid turns and starts toward the door with every confidence that the man will follow. However, once he reaches the doors, he pauses and looks back, "I told you my name, but you never told me yours, Lord. Is there something specific I should call you?"

He doesn't want to be rude, after all!

The man pauses himself, opening his mouth to answer but unable to immediately reply.

"I don't--" he begins, reaction to the automatic thought that he is the asset, and assets don't have names. But the images of the museum and the captain's words replay in his head and he may very well have one. James Buchanan Barnes. Bucky. He doesn't know if they're truly his or not, but he guesses it wouldn't hurt to try them out.

"James," he says after a second, testing it out. He doesn't know if he's ready for a nickname yet, whether it was one he gave himself or one that was given to him.

"James? Okay! Lord James it is! It's good to meet you, Lord James!" Diarmuid bows and then turns back to the doors and opens them. He uses his body to hold the door open and motions for James to follow him out. Once the man has, he lets the doors shut and points down the street toward some tall buildings a few blocks away.

"That is where we are going. Are there any other questions I can answer for you while we walk?"

He doesn't understand why the boy is calling him Lord; he has no status nor land to qualify for it, and even if he did at one point, he thinks it's more likely he's killed a lord than he's been called one. But he is not designed to argue about trivial things, so he says nothing as he follows Diarmuid outside and looks at the buildings in the distance.

He only needs a short moment to think of a question that has yet to be answered for him.

"How do these cards work," he asks, pulling the supposed living stipend out of his pocket.

If asked, Diarmuid would explain that the reason he calls people 'Lord' or 'Lady' unless asked not to is because his father taught him to do it as a sign of respect. Of course, if for some reason a person proved themselves to be unworthy of respect, Diarmuid would stop calling them that, but he has yet to run into anyone here that fits that description.

When Diarmuid sees the card that James pulls out, he nods in understanding. He remembers how confused he was about the card when he first arrived too, "It is really easy! You just give the card to whatever shopkeeper you are getting things from and they will do the rest! Money is put on it at the beginning of every month. If you end up needing more than they give you, there are places you can get a job and that money will be put on your card too!"

He nods and pockets the card again, understanding. They work the same as credit cards and the like back in his world, and it's something of a relief to find something familiar in this place, only they're given money simply for being here instead of absolutely having to earn it. Or steal it, as had been his inclination the past couple of weeks.

But the similarity means it's just as likely they can track him and what he's doing should he use it, so he'll remain cautious. If he feels he has to, he will, but he has no intention of accepting anything from those who'd take him and keep him here against his will.

He recalls that this child has been here for a long time--longer than the amount of time he can even remember living--and wonders why the thought remains in his head. Perhaps it has something to do with how he seems so cheerful and accepting of everything. He cannot imagine feeling that way about this place in that situation, even if he was capable of being cheerful.

He feels like he should clarify that, but it takes him a moment to settle on the words. "Are you... satisfied with being here?"

"Am I satisfied with being here?" The way the boy repeats the question makes it obvious he's not sure he understands what James is asking. However, he does try his best to answer after a moment of thought, "I would be more worried if I didn't know time stopped at home while I am away. I wouldn't want to miss anything or make my father worry, but it does stop and I like helping people, so why shouldn't I be happy here? It doesn't take a lot to help these people with their problem. Plus, I have gotten to learn so much and meet so many different people. I even have gotten to meet my hero and becomes his family! That never would have happened back home because he died before I was born!"

He pauses, then, expression growing sad, "I wish we could remember things when we leave here. I don't want to forget everyone I have met. That is another reason I like it here. I remember home and here! But...I miss home and my father too..."

It's obvious the boy is deeply torn about all of this.

He quietly takes in the boy's words, and from what he can tell it seems he's grown fond of the other captives. That makes some sense. They are on the same side. He doesn't know if he understands how time can "stop" at home, but Diarmuid speaks as if he knows it to be true. He has no reason not to believe him.

The thought that he'll have yet more holes in his memory when he returns is particularly distressing, but he sets aside the thought as best he can for now, though his fists tense at his sides. He has to deal with one thing at a time, and right now that one thing is speaking to Diarmuid, who seems conflicted by the question. The soldier did not intend to make him confused.

"You don't have to answer."

Diarmuid is quiet for a moment longer, thinking about things, and then shakes his head, "It's okay. I'm just not sure if it is right I am happy here sometimes. I like it here and it's not hurting anyone that I am here. In fact, it helps them! That makes it okay, right?"

Most of his confusion stems from the fact that he's never had to deal with a situation like this before. Betrayal and hidden motives are not something he has ever experienced--at least, not that he can remember-- though he has heard about them in stories. It doesn't help that he looks for the good in everyone naturally.

Perhaps, if he could remember the night that has been erased from his memory, he would not be so confused about things. However, all he knows about that time is that he lost something very important to him and he knows he never wants to lose something like that again. Several people here have become that important to him and yet, his family at home is very important too, thus he is confused about what is right and what he should want.

"I don't know," he replies.

He thinks about how the kid is worried about whether or not accepting his capture was "right," and it isn't exactly a question he really understands at this point. It seems like Diarmuid is relatively carefree about being captured, and he finds that it bothers him.

Then again, he doesn't think he would be any more alright with the situation if he was as agitated about being captured as the soldier is.

Feeling uneasy, he returns his thoughts to the issue that's been bothering him since he got here. The issue that's been bothering him since he first left his mission on the riverbank.

"You said you won't remember this place when you go back." He hopes his question is evident enough from the statement that he doesn't have to put it into words. He's having a hard enough time staying relatively calm.

Part of the reason he is so carefree about the whole thing is that Diarmuid doesn't consider himself a captive or someone who has been kidnapped. Instead, he considers himself a visitor who is here to help people who need help. Maybe he is more easily able to view things this way because he has been home and back before...

Diarmuid nods, and then his expression growing sad, "When I was sent back before, I didn't remember being here the whole time I was home. When I came back, all of my memories came back. I don't understand how that works. How do you erase something someone has experienced so completely? Father blocked the memory of that night from me, but I know it's missing. When I was back home, I didn't think anything was missing even though I didn't remember this place at all!"

He pauses and shakes his head, "I don't like it. I hope it is just happening because of the power issues they are having here. Maybe once we have fixed that, we won't have to worry about forgetting this place anymore. It's one more reason to help, right?"

The soldier knows well how it works, and cautious realization comes across his face when he realizes Diarmuid hasn't only lost memories of this place before, but something else, thanks to someone else; it's unsettling. Even in his current state he's aware that he wouldn't wish what had been done to him on anyone but those who inflicted it. But at least the boy hasn't been forced to lose any memory of who he is.

He doesn't understand the purpose of erasing the memory of only Saeng Seong after sending them back, but the answer becomes obvious to him after only a moment: to prevent anyone from trying to stop the people who brought them here, from outside the city. It's possible they have some kind of vulnerability from that side, or...

He looks away, examining the buildings they pass as he considers what to say. He has no intentions of trying to preserve Diarmuid's naivete. It would only make it more difficult for the boy to protect himself.

"Having memories wiped like that... isn't an accident." His fists clenched at his sides, left hand making a quiet but shrill hum.

"They don't?" Diarmuid gives him a confused and worried look. Even though James has said that it is okay for his arm to make noises like that, Diarmuid isn't sure he believes it. The noises just sound wrong...

"What do you mean? I don't understand why someone would do that on purpose. I mean, my memories of this place came back when I returned, so it has to be an accident, right? I don't know what the point is otherwise..." Unfortunately, his mind just doesn't work in the same directions as James' does. Maybe once he is older and has seen more of the real world, but now he just cannot fathom the point...

But then something hits him. It's not quite along the lines that James might be hoping for, though.

"You've had someone do that to you, haven't you? They took your memories on purpose. That's how you know..."

He'll admit that he doesn't know the reason behind it either, but he can accept it as a thing that's done without understanding why, especially considering he's been the recipient of it several times in the past. Just how many times was erased like the rest of his memory, but he knows it well enough.

Reluctant to share that he's missing so much but programmed not to lie, the assassin meets Diarmuid's eyes.

"Yes."

When James' answer confirms Diarmuid's suspicions, a sad look enters his eyes. He reaches out with one hand unconsciously to touch the man's arm, but seems to realize what he is doing at the last minute and stops himself, unsure if the touch will be welcomed or not.

"I'm sorry. No one has the right to do that to someone else. Don't they know how much it hurts?" He shakes his head, but as if he can tell James doesn't want to talk about it, he lets the discussion go at that. Instead, he runs a few steps forward and points to the doors of a rather tall building, "Here we are! This is Building One! The media center is just inside!"

He doesn't move away from Diarmuid when he reaches for him, and he's about to answer the question when he moves forward to the apartment complex and his train of thought is cut off.

They clearly knew. They couldn't have not known, because it was so painful not even he, who could ignore most pain, could stop himself from reacting.

But the soldier follows and enters the building, looking around carefully to see if anyone else is around. He recalls that the room he was given is in this building, on the second floor. In some ways it seems beneficial that some of these network terminals are in the same building, in case he ever needs them immediately.

It was very helpful to Diarmuid when he was learning to use the Network for the first time to have them so close by too. Now he lives farther away from them, but that doesn't really bother him so much because he doesn't need to look at them everyday to remember how they work.

Of course, he probably should look at them everyday so he can keep up with what is going on, but...

"The computers are just over here!" Diarmuid moves away from James' side and toward a room off to the side of where they entered. Nearby is the staircase that leads up to the rooms above, "It's really pretty easy to use the Network once you know how!"

For now, the boy seems to have forgotten about the whole memory discussion, which is probably for the best...

INTRO LOG - JUNE 2014

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weird brainwashed assassin big brother acquired