January Intro Log

[rekindlemods]

Who: Everyone
Where: The Welcome Center
When: 12th December, early 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.

'I'm sorry for this... but we need your help.'

Yet the feeling -and the voice - pass quickly, and when you awaken, you begin to realize your surroundings. It's a small room with what some might recognize as something akin to 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 red 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...

On a small table beside you, there rests a note atop a manilla envelope (that oddly enough is enscribed with your name). Unfolding the note will reveal some answers in the form of a letter addressed to all arrivals.

Inside the manilla envelope , 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 second letter folded neatly on the top.

Odd... Neither were written in your own language, and yet you find it easily understandable. Soon enough, if you don't make an exit 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 or upset as to what's going on, but we promise to explain further once you've had a chance to stretch your legs!"

Whether you go downstairs immediately or linger a little longer, eventually you must come on down to leave 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 warm and filling food and drink, including some you probably aren't familiar with. It's just as well they're in good supply, as rain is pouring outside with no sign of relenting. During this time of the year, it's definitely something to leave a chill in the bones. Perhaps picking up a rain coat by the desks on the other side of the room might be a good idea. Who knows? You may just find something suspiciously in your size!

Speaking of those desks, two ladies seem eager to answer any questions you may have, names and positions conveniently written on signs on their desk.

Irene, General Assistance
Andi, Technological Assistance

Outside, and through the heavy rain and translucent glass you can see a banner hanging from the tiled roof of the building across the street. The deep autumnal colors on it match the welcoming (though rather damp) atmosphere as the letters proclaim:

WELCOME TO SAENG SEONG
(ENJOY YOUR STAY!)

Comments

Irene, General Assistance

[rekindlenpcs]

The woman at the desk is currently engrossed in paperwork and her mug of hot coffee, not very fond of the cool draft that occurs every time the door opens. When she is approached however, she glances up.

"Hello, my name is Irene. How can I help you?"

Andi, Technological Assistance

[rekindlenpcs]

The young woman at the desk is more subdued than in previous months, but she puts on a friendly smile when approached. "Hello, my name is Andi. Is there something I can help you with?"

[eternalcutie]

Czeslaw wandered into the lobby area feeling very confused indeed. As far as he remembered he had gone to sleep in his bed, in his apartment, in Saeng Seong...so why did he wake up in the Welcome Center? He paused next to one of the refreshment tables to open his new packet and was bewildered to find that it listed a new apartment for him as well. In an entirely different building.

He didn't bother to try and hide the confusion he was feeling. What in the world was going on?

[heismymission]

At this point, visiting the welcome center each month for the new arrivals had become habit. Even though he had no one to search for here, nor did he really want to meet anyone new, he'd nonetheless shown up. Maybe it was because it gave him some time to not worry about Steve's reactions.

Either way, the much cleaner-looking Bucky--hair tied back, clean-shaven, and in some respectable clothes--is helping himself to a snack on the other side of the room when he spots Czeslaw. His curiosity gets the better of him despite remembering how the kid reacted to him last time, and he decides to approach--though he's still as quiet as ever about it.

"You're back."

[eternalcutie]

Czes startles as usual, clutching his packet to his chest for a second as he registers who exactly is talking to him. He almost doesn't recognize Bucky, not only because of the change in his appearance but because the all-encompassing terror that Czes is used to feeling in his presence is...less, somehow. Like he's still dangerous but isn't as likely to rip body parts off for no reason.

His feeling of unease only grows, though, because it hasn't been that long since he's seen Bucky, and aside from that...

"Mister James?" His high voice wavers a little, half a response to Bucky's unexpected appearance (though considering how often they run into each other maybe it shouldn't be a surprise anymore) and half because of the implications of Bucky's statement which are slowly penetrating Czes' mind. "I'm sorry, but...what do you mean by that?"

[heismymission]

Though he's glad to see a noticeably smaller amount of skittishness, Bucky's eyebrows draw together for a moment when it becomes clear the kid doesn't quite get what he means.

"You were gone a couple months," he explains. "Didn't you go home?"

If he didn't... it had some bad implications.

[smallspot]

Czeslaw isn't the only confused one. When Diarmuid sees the other boy standing there holding a newcomer's packet, he is confused too. While he hasn't seen Czeslaw since the potluck, he doesn't remember anyone else mentioning the boy had left the city. Is this a new Czeslaw? One who might not remember him?

Diarmuid approaches the boy with a smile and a wave, "Hi Czeslaw! Do you remember me? It's Diarmuid!"

[eternalcutie]

"Huh?" Czes is startled out of his darkening thoughts by the approach of the younger boy. He musters up a smile for him, though, and tries to inject some enthusiasm into his tone. "Oh, yeah, of course I do! It hasn't been that long, has it?"

[smallspot]

"Almost two months! It's January now! Were you home for a long time?" Diarmuid remembers when he was sent home. He was gone for a whole year--at least to him--but was only gone a few days here. If Czeslaw was gone from here for two months, how long has passed for him? "You missed a lot of stuff while you were gone!"

[noparachute]

Steve was surprised to see the young boy walking around the lobby. Didn't he return home? While it definitely wasn't unheard of for people to return, they usually were only gone for a few days and Czes was definitely out longer than that. Regardless, he thought it would be a good idea to greet him again, make sure that he was doing okay.

He wasn't the type to leave someone alone and confused, especially if they were children. Even if there was something he was hiding- Steve remembered a few things that were a bit unusual about him- but he couldn't say what exactly. But the kid was nice enough, so he was content to not dig into any details if he didn't want to talk about.

"Welcome back."

[eternalcutie]

"Mister Rogers..."

Okay, that's not the most enthusiastic response, but he's feeling pretty nervous right now.

"What do you mean, welcome back?"

[noparachute]

Steve started to look a little worried at the question. This was the first time he met someone that didn't know they were gone. And Czes still remembered him, so it wasn't like he was from an earlier time period or universe.

"A couple months back, you disappeared. Thought you were sent back home like the others."

[pizzaninja]

Mikey approached the boy from where he had been observing the people passing through. He figured he may as well make a habit of checking in with the Welcome Center now and again. To see if any of his family arrived...or worse case scenario, an enemy. He felt a flash of concern though, as he always did when he saw how young some of the people that were brought here were. Jeez, they were only kids.

"Hey buddy...you okay?"

[eternalcutie]

Czes is momentarily distracted from his situation by how person-sized yet turtle-shaped Mikey is. Even though he's seen some weird stuff in his admittedly long life, this is a first. He stares up at Mikey, wide-eyed, and speaks with a tone of almost amazement.

"Um...I'm okay, Mister Turtle. I just didn't expect to end up here again."

[tadashiishere]

(A)

The lamps are lit, and the candle, but nothing in the room stirs. Nothing that is, until someone comes to check on what's keeping the room's occupant and finds... no one. There's no one on the bed, nor does there seem to be anyone in the room at all. Just some sort of red and purple case made of metal and plastic on the floor next to the bed. Someone's luggage maybe? But there doesn't seem to be anyone around to claim it.

Maybe there's been some sort of mistake?

(B)

Baymax stood exactly where he had been left by the man who'd handed him the 'Welcome Packet', observing the room. There were a number of people here, but none of them looked familiar. In fact, a number of them didn't even look human. He thought at first that they may just be wearing costumes, like Fred, but scanning one of them as they passed by proved this to be incorrect. Very strange. He'd have to set up a number of additional medical databases by the looks of things, if he was going to be able to offer them proper medical treatment.

Also unusual were the other robots. He could see a number of them, all larger than even his armored form, all giving off highly unusual power readings. And some of them were exhibiting highly unusual, even erratic behavior. Perhaps they were glitched? He would have to ask later.

Eventually, he realized he was becoming a rather inconvenient obstacle standing near the base of the stairs leading up to the rooms where he had arrived, and toddled forward into the room proper, finding a convenient spot along one wall where he wouldn't be in anyone's way. There, he opened the envelope and began to read over the provided information.

(A)

[smallspot]

Diarmuid doesn't usually come up into this part of the Welcome Center when he comes in to meet new arrivals, but when he arrived, this part wasn't open and he is curious. Add in the fact that there aren't many people around and he figures it is a good time to go check things out.

At first he thinks the room is empty, but after a moment, he spots the case next to the bed. He walks over to it and gives it a curious look. Did someone leave it behind? Maybe he should take it down to the desks where Irene and the others are. They will know what to do with it...

The boy wraps his hands around what looks to be the handle and then tries to pick it up...only the case doesn't move. Wow...it is pretty heavy. What is in it?

Was hoping someone would do option A. XD

[tadashiishere]

There is no response from the case at Diarmuid's attempt to lift it. It wouldn't be especially heavy to an adult, but to a boy Diarmuid's age? Yep, moving it won't be easy. It might be possible for him to drag it along, though. Course there might also be a way to open it; that little symbol on the front kind of looks like it could be a latch... Hmmm...

[dragoncrest]

One of the non-humans Baymax likely scanned in the room--a relatively tall rat-woman, wearing a red leather jacket and hat--approached the robot after a few moments of examining him, unsure of what kind of creature or construct he might have been. Another reason she decided to wait before greeting him was to make certain he had some time to absorb the information in the letter.

Freya had to admit her curiosity was a large part of why she came to speak with him, in addition to wanting to help.

"Hello," she said politely. "You seem to be taking your arrival quite well. Most of those I've met are very confused or upset when they wake up."

[tadashiishere]

Baymax looked up as one of the non-human people approached him. Indeed, he had scanned her, concluding her to be some sort of large, humanoid rat. Very strange.

"Hello," he greeted her with a small wave. "I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion."

"And I cannot be upset," he explained. "I am a robot. Though I do have some questions. The letters were informative, but the situation is still highly unusual."

[symbolofstrength]

From across the room, there's a short, stocky, middle-aged man in a labcoat looking at the robot curiously. Sam watches it for a moment or two, before turning to pick up a brownie off the refreshment table (using a napkin, no germs here). He approaches it, brownie in hand.

"Hey there." Sam makes his presence known, and holds up the brownie in offering. With his free hand, he waves. He's not sure exactly what this thing is, but that's no reason not to be friendly.

[tadashiishere]

Said 'thing' looks up as he's addressed, and turns to face the man in the ab coat, returning the wave with a little one of his own. "Hello," he said. "I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion."

His gaze then shifts slightly to the brownie. "Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, but I cannot consume human food." As should be evidenced by the fact that he has no mouth.

B

[shadowsgambit]

Fortuna always came to the welcome center, even with who knows what risks that entailed. Maybe someone she recognized would appear one day.

But not this time, it seemed. Instead, the only new face she could pick out belonged to...to...what was that thing? Those looked like cameras where its eyes should be, so, a robot?

"Uh...can't say I've ever seen a robot that looks so soft."

[tadashiishere]

Baymax looked up as the woman addressed him. She was one of the more humanoid of the non-humans he'd seen around here, the only really unusual thing being the horns. He casually scaned her into his medical database as he responded to her comment.

"Tadashi wanted me to have a non-threatening, huggable design," he explained. "He believed that it would be helpful in my function."

[pizzaninja]

Michelangelo had decided to check back at the Welcome Center. He figured he might as well make a habit out of it, just in case more of his family arrived. Or Enemies. He saw various folks with the same expressions he remembered that he himself had when he came here. However, the one that really caught his eye was the large...white robot? Or was it a walking balloon or pillow?

Whatever it was, it was standing off to the side, reading the contents of an envelope. It must be the same information Mikey had himself received when he had arrived here.

Unable to quell his curiousity, the ninja turtle made his way over to the balloon guy.

"Hey!" he greeted with a grin, hoping that it was friendly. "Nice to meetcha!"

[tadashiishere]

Baymax looked up as he was addressed, coming face to face with a bipedal turtle. Interesting. Unlike most of the non-humans he'd seen here, this one seemed to be perfectly comfortable with near nudity, despite the chilly weather outside. Odd; one would expect the opposite to be true, given his apparently reptilian nature.

Baymax scanned the ninja turtle into his database even as he gave a little wave. "Hello,"he said. "I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion. It is nice to meet you too. What is your name?"