transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date & Time: December 1st
Location: The Initiative Hold
Characters: Everyone!
Summary: New transports are probably way less pleased about their arrival than their designated greeter appears to be. What are we saying, probably.
Warnings: No, unless you hate joy and laughter.

You, dear Transport, are in for an extra special treat. This is not just any standard protocol information session, although you're still required to listen to the obligate spiel and choose your own adventure your fancy new equipment (or something more familiar, if you'd rather). Once 'the boring part' is over, an excitable blonde with a hairstyle out of a Dr. Seuss book begins ushering you down the halls. Although she glosses over the history of the place that you've found yourself in, she seems much more enthused about telling you that you've arrived in the best month of the year.

It's highly probable that Becky (for that is her name, really) was chosen for this particular batch of Transports not because of her blinding devotion to her informational duties, but to give the other workers in her division of the Hold a few moments of rest from her chipper voice. Any snark or sniping is brushed off easily enough by the bubbly woman as she leads you further into the Hold. She lets you know that although there are serious reasons for you to be here, you should try to include yourself in the local customs in order to foster a feeling of hominess and unity, as that sort of thing is very important...and keeps in close tradition with Non-Denominational Cheer Day, a holiday coming up quickly toward the end of the month. She even presents you with a pink, blue and silver bow made from surprisingly high-quality ribbon along with your netbook, coinpurse or card before she ushers you into the banquet room and encourages you to 'mix with your fellow man – or whatever they might be!'

She disappears with a twirl of bright blue skirt and you're left to your own devices in the banquet room. Perhaps in an effort to make up for the previous month's somewhat lack-luster party (who had time to plan a proper spread when parts of the building weren't even functioning?), the eight-person tables are dressed with various solid-coloured tablecloths overlaid with shimmery silver material. The entire room looks a little bit more 'frosty' than usual (fake snow was so 21st century) – the walls glitter with what looks to be some sort of spray-on ice crystals (they're probably plastic).

Winter beverages line one side of the banquet hall – hot toddies, cider, and hot chocolate with all of the proper fixings – while the other has no shortage of warming foods like stews and casseroles. There's no shortage of cookies for dipping, if that's your thing. Surely you'll be able to find something to eat, or at least someone to talk to...

Comments

action or prose, you choose!

[dirges]

Freedom. Justice. These were words that echoed inside of her head as she wandered the Hold in search of familiar faces or, perhaps, answers. She expected to find none. All she saw were strange people, all as confused and lost as she, and none who had proper answers in place. None of them seemed to take notice of the Disk at her belt or her clothes; there were plenty who had arrived who seemed stranger than her. She was not the only woman wearing breeches here, for better or worse. She could blend in quite seemlessly here, she thought.

The food smelled warm and inviting but she decided not to partake of it just now. Instead, she ducked away and made her way out into the streets, adjusting her cap as she went. The sky was the limit. Or, in her case, the rooftops...which were her first destination. Later, she would possibly be seen milling about the businesses in the hopes of further information.

[limitstorm]

Ever since returning from home, Riku had been debating looking at his usual rooftop routine in a new light. While flowmotion didn't work here, that didn't mean he couldn't try to come up with some new routines while applying his newfound powers. Climbing up is easy enough, though he finds it a little more depressing as his hands keep finding spots that remind him of the bombing. He barely forces himself to pay attention to the task at hand.

Looking at the Initiative Hold now, a lot has changed in the ten months he's been here... but not too much has changed regarding their war. It was difficult to digest. He shook himself out of thought as he bound forward in a direct line, jumping across the opening between buildings and--stopping, skidding. In his thoughtful state, he hadn't seen the woman who was on a nearby rooftop, and hesitated.

[dirges]

The first set of rooftops were too low for her liking, not enough to give her a decent view of the city. But it didn't take her long to go higher still, every new pass opening up more sky and less clutter. She took a moment to survey her surroundings when she heard someone behind her. She turned, casting a glance over her shoulder, and was surprised to see a young boy there.

Not a Templar. Couldn't be. They'd used tricks before but this would be far out of place. His hair was a curious shade of silver and it drew her eye, though her gaze was suspicious at best. "So I am not the only one who enjoys a good run on the less traveled paths."

[limitstorm]

"Funny," he found himself saying. "I was gonna say the same thing."

The multitude he'd been up here, and he hadn't met many others--maybe the occasional flicker of a person as they dropped down below, but not... like this. With a light squint of his eyes, he tried to place her face, to no avail.

"You just got here, didn't you?"

[solitaire]

<sub>( If he spotted her leaving the party, he didn't make a note of it then. But later on, when he's wandering through the streets and trying to get a feel for the place, he makes his way to the rooftops because that's his comfort zone. And it's there that he spots her silhouette.

He takes a step towards her, holds up one hand in greeting. )</sub>


Notice anything interesting, chère?

[dirges]

[Now that is an accent she's more familiar with. Unfortunately, it goes hand-in-hand with a man who's on her rooftop. She turns back to look at him, one eyebrow raised in question.]

Besides the man I'm looking at? No, monsieur. Nothing just yet.

[It's a lie, of course; she's found quite a bit so far of interest, though it's all wrapped up in her confusion about this time travel and it's not something she's to keen on revealing.]

[solitaire]

So not much at all? Dat's a shame.

_{( He mirrors her expression when he hears her voice, because he couldn't have known to expect it. Of course, he doesn't have the best track record with ladies from his neck of the woods, but he's content to ignore that fact for now. Instead he just takes a step or two towards the edge of the roof, looking out over his new surroundings. )}

Still, it's a nice view.

[dirges]

[Her lips twitch into a small semblance of a smile, as faint as it may be. She doesn't respond besides that, turning her attention out to the city as she follows his gaze. He's right; it's a good view, open and clear.]

It would be better still from a greater height, I think.

[A statement and possibly an invitation. She turns her eyes to one of the taller buildings.]

[solitaire]

_{( He looks back over at the same building, then at her, considering. Then his lips slowly curve into a smile. )}

When a lady makes a suggestion, I can hardly say no.

_{( He judges the distance with one hand, then gestures to her with a half-bow. The implication of "ladies first" is obvious. )}

[dirges]

[Aveline turns her gaze to his momentarily and there's the barest flicker of a smile before she's off. A hop across a short chasm is all she needs to get to the next structure, where she walks to the tower on the far side of the building. It's worn from something - an attack, perhaps? - but she doesn't seem to have any difficulty climbing.

She shoots him a backwards glance as she goes. Coming?]

[solitaire]

_{( Remy takes a running start, if only because it makes the flip he executes to get to the tower just a little more believable. He lands on his feet, as ever, and as he catches up with her he's still more interested in the view than the building itself. )}

You're pretty quick on your feet, chère.

sorry for the late; had exams this week!

[dirges]

[He's skilled. She can admire that in the few glimpses she gets during her climb, even if her focus is on the overhanded grips. A flicker of a smile crosses her features when she grips a simple hold and finally casts her gaze down.]

You're not so bad yourself, monsieur. A hobby of yours?

no worries!

[solitaire]

A man has to get around somehow, no?

_{( The view's better in New Orleans, he thinks. So he focuses on her instead. )}

Helps, too. In my profession.

[dirges]

That he does.

[She has absolutely no reason to contradict that. Gripping one edge of the roof, she swings herself up with ease.]

Your profession?

[solitaire]

A little bit a adventure an' a whole lot of thievin'.

_{( He grins in a brash way. )}

[mentore]

The rooftops were Ezio's home, in a fashion. High above, slinking in the vantage points, he could be mostly unseen and unheard. As strange and foreign as this place was, even some few elements manage to persist across time.

As it happens, he was on a rooftop currently, but one that is closer to ground level. His eyes scanned across the city, looking for disturbances, wondering if he would find anything of interest.

Others stalking the rooftops was not unusual here anymore, but he's certain he would have remembered a woman dressed like that. Anyone not wearing the clothing of this place stood out fairly quickly, as he learned. Quietly, he began to follow, robes flowing behind him, hood on. He would keep to himself as much as he can before he would confront her.

[dirges]

It did not take long for her to realize she had a follower. In Louisiana, someone climbing buildings as she did was rare enough of a feat that she always knew her followers were Templars or soldiers stationed to block her path and spy for trouble. Ezio was quicker, silent, and she did not so much as catch a good look at his robe before she realized he was too close for comfort.

He had not attacked, though, and that was enough to keep her from doing the same. But if he was hoping for an easy catch, he had another thing coming.

Aveline spotted a low overhang of roof on a structure two buildings over. She ducked down to head that way, hoping to see if he'd directly follow.

[mentore]

He could very easily directly pursue her, but it would give him away easily. It would be the fastest way of catching her though, and he's not considered the fastest man of all Italia for nothing....

Part of the way, he followed, though he diverted to a nearby building with a slightly higher vantage point. Half the task of tracking an enemy was to keep them in your line of sight without being detected. With the skill Ezio could see this stranger possessed, it might be a more difficult task than usual.

[dirges]

Already taking a different path. She didn't directly catch where he'd disappeared but he was no longer just behind her. That was a sign. This one was crafty, much more skilled than the guards who would pursue her at a moment's notice. He has had practice in some way. Good. This would be more of a challenge.

She swung herself down and kept moving, always looking for his next reappearance. A particularly large gap was no trouble for her; with a flick of her wrist, she tossed out her whip and used it to swing over to the next section of roof. From there, it was easier to reach her destination, though she kept looking for her pursuer.

[mentore]

The whip was impressive, he'll grant her that, but the fact remained that he still saw her. Quickly, he criss-crossed to another building, still parallel, but slightly more obscured and difficult to traverse. He swung himself around corners of buildings and onto the slightest of ledges with ease.

Where could she be going?

[wolfmd]

Isaac had been hoping against hope for a familiar scent with the new arrivals. Even a scent that was strange but still recognizable--he'd run with deer and owls before and he would happily do so again if only to stave off the loneliness.

No such luck, and the disappointment stung. To combat it he went for a run. No easy feat this far from the wilds, but he could keep to less crowded streets and not sacrifice his pace. So there he was running at what would be a punishing pace for most people down the back alleys and sidestreets. Enough to attract attention all on its own but he ignored the stares around him. No one on the ground was unusual enough to set his instincts on high alert, but he had the nose and ears of a wolf, and couldn't help glancing around at unexpected noises and unfamiliar scents.

[dirges]

This one was strange. Unlike others, he pounded out into the streets without a thought, eager to run. She knew the feeling, that desire to be free. But he was rushing, his run much quicker and stronger than the usual man. It caught her eye and Aveline moved to accommodate her curiosity, her steps quick and silent on the rooftops high above. She would not normally chase after someone who had not wronged her, but he seemed an exception to the rule, her suspicions high enough to warrant some investigation.

She ran after him, only a few steps behind, and kept her eyes out to see if anyone would dare to bother him as he went besides casting wary eyes to his odd behavior.

[wolfmd]

For a time Isaac ran along unaware, but slowly sounds that would be inaudible to anyone else but weren't quite tell-tale started impressing themselves on his consciousness. The hair on his neck prickled as instincts sent out a hazy warning. There was something not quite right. What it was he couldn't place, because there were plenty of smells and sounds that were demanding his attention, so he took a sharp turn towards a far quieter area. With less to sort through, he hoped to find out what was pinging his awareness.

He hadn't looked up, not yet, and certainly wasn't slowing his pace at all, but aside from the change of direction showed no outward sign of suspecting something wrong.