transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date: January 3rd
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been led to a banquet room within the Hold.
Warnings: None.

You've just been hustled and bustled through mazes of information and literal, wide corridors of the Initiative Hold and you've been equipped with your weapon—be it a gun, a sword, or even your existing powers. They've handed you this light netbook and a small pouch of coins (or a debit card, if you're more inclined), and there are several Transports before and after you going through the very same motions. You can hear the Greeter's voice as she walks alongside large groups, telling them all about the history of this place and sharing with you your purpose here in a hurried and urgent tone. "You're in luck that we have enough rooms for all of you; the housing building is getting awfully full. Please, let me show you into the courtyard."

You pass what looks like huge gymnasiums, all with dummies and targets strewn and splayed around the room. Training areas. There are even classrooms, and a few small offices. You're rushed past a large library while the Greeter informs you that you can find almost all your information there, if you've got the time to look—and trust her, you'll have time. You don't spend a lot of time in the bank, and it's a bit of a blur of exchanges with more and more of these strangely-accented and oddly polite-seeming members of the Initiative.

Soon enough, you're in a massive courtyard bustling with all the other Transports. It's not exactly what you'd expect, and it looks more like barracks than anything—huge walls of concrete and stone, separating you from all of the hallways you'd just passed through. It's raining heavily, and dark clouds loom in the air, though it hasn't turned to snow. It's a chill cold, and there are shelters—long cloth hangings that extend from the walls of concrete to house you from the rain, but not enough. Most notably, the courtyard is filled with a marketplace. Even in the cold and the rain, there are several citizens seated at their covered booths and tables, bundled up against the weather. They're selling all manner of their own handmade goods and foods, and citizens and Transports alike are traveling from one small covered shop to another in search of all manner of necessities.

The Greeter's voice has become so faint now, but you swear you can make it out in the back of the crowds as she tells you, "Good luck. Be safe!"

Her voice is drowned out by the busy marketplace, though even the transactions taking place are somewhat subdued. Nobody is overly happy, really, though most citizens can be found with smiles on their faces. It doesn't seem like they're that shocked to see you, either; even if you're not bound in tattered rags and wrapped in heavy shawls as they are. You're welcome to walk up to a shop, and find yourself something to eat—hey, maybe you'll even find something akin to a raincoat. Or, you can join the others under the coverings against the walls. Where am I? What war? She was talking so fast, and it didn't all make very much sense… did anyone else catch it all?

Welcome to the courtyard. Welcome to the Initiative Hold—and most importantly, welcome to Exsilium

Comments

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[This definitely isn't Sugar Rush. The sky is gray, the buildings are made out of... well... not food that's for sure (he'd even taste tested), and well... the art style and graphics of this game are far more photorealistic. That intro cutscene was a little long for an arcade game too now that he thought about it. But that wasn't really important to Ralph at the moment. He'd obviously entered the wrong game, a new game maybe? He'd have to poke around later, he had plans with Vanellope and he had to get this giant Pac-Man pretzel to her before it-]

Wait, where's the pretzel? Aww Geez... the Surge Protector must've confiscated it. It's gonna take me a week to get another one!

[He slumps a bit in defeat as he watches the other newbies disperse around him. Suddenly he's left standing alone in the courtyard, feeling small and lost, despite his large stature. The rain hits his face, and he flinches a bit, unaccustomed to such advanced simulations in the other games he's visited. He looks around, hoping to find the way he came in so he can attempt to leave and finish up his plans before the work day starts. Unfortunately, he can't find the exit... He sighs heavily and starts to ask around, hoping one of these NPCs will know the way out.]

'Scuse me, I uh- Hey, could you tell me what game this is? Does you know how I can get back to...

[Anxiousness starts to take in as he's unable to get any helpful answers, finally he cups his giant hands around his mouth as a makeshift megaphone and calls into the marketplace.]

Does ANYONE know how to get back to Game Central from here?!

[mach_n_roll]

I have no idea where Game Central is, big guy!

[Oh hey, Ralph! Look who it is! He taps a sneakered foot and looks at him quizzically.]

Didn't Miss Purple in there tell you what was going on?

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[He's relieved to see a familiar face in this bleak next-gen looking game, and it shows.]

Sonic! Heya, pal! Do you know what game this is? I didn't know we were expecting a new one anytime soon. Oh man, if YOU don't know how to get back to Game Central, we're ALL in trouble.

[His smile falters a little]

Um, yeah the lady told me what was happening, but I never pay attention to the tutorials... it just seems like bad game design to me if I can't learn how to play naturally. ...And it was a lot of information for me to take in, I wasn't prepared.

[He shrugs sheepishly before clearing his throat and continuing.]

Think you could help me get to Sugar Rush? I kinda have and appointment with the President...

[mach_n_roll]

Sorry, man, I don't know what you're talking about...

[Wait. "game?"]

Hey, you by any chance know a girl by the name of Calhoun? Tall, blonde hair, power armor, big gun? Tends to throw metaphors in a blender and make smoothies with 'em?

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[Ralph's smile fades completely for a second before he chuckles heartily, nudging the hedgehog in jest.]

Hah! Come on, Blue Streak! Quit kiddin' around.... Of course I know Sarge, I saw her like a few hours ago!

[He takes a knee and addresses Sonic earnestly.]

Okay, real talk, buddy? What game is this? I mean, when did we get a new game?

[mach_n_roll]

[That earns him a fully confused glance.]

Seriously man. Wish I could tell ya otherwise but I really don't know what you're talkin' about! What game? This is real life!

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[The confusion is obviously mutual here as Ralph attempts to get a little more information from Sonic.]

But... you? I mean... I know the... "Real life"... what?

[He covers his face with his hands, tugging at his features as he drops them back down to his sides, before attempting to communicate again.]

Didn't get reset did you? I-

[He points to his chest.]

-Ralph, need to get back home. HOME, to Fix-It Felix Jr. before ...

[But he can tell nothing's sparking anything in Sonic's mind from the look he's getting. He gives up and tries a different approach.]

Ok, Sonic, it's alright, I'll figure it out. ...What do you mean by "real life" though? Like... the player's world? Other side of the screen?

[mach_n_roll]

[Whoa. Does this guy live in a video game? With all the stuff that's happened to Sonic, meeting a dude from a digital world actually isn't all that weird. And it does explains a lot about the way Calhoun was acting too...]

I... I think so! I'm not too sure because I've always lived out here, and it ain't no game, believe you me!

[...Ironic, isn't it?]

Soooo yeah! That's exactly what it is! Hahah, in that case, welcome to the real world!

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[He's not really sure how to take the information, or whether to seriously believe what Sonic's saying. But the Sonic Ralph knows has always been honest and upfront, an all around dependable guy. This may not be the Sonic from back home, maybe, but he still seems right. Ralph smiles uncomfortably.]

Heh, thanks, bud. Uhh, so you said Calhoun's here too right? Anyone else I might-... you think I might know?

[Hopefully Vanellope hasn't gotten involved in whatever mess this is...

[chargethesebatteries]

[Another day another marque; Tamora's still getting used to the whole cop gig, but she's always been more of a hands-on learner. She kind of digs the badge and the extra gun, but doesn't dig the uniform so much--way too much starch, and she doesn't really figure she needs to wear the armor for her daily rounds--and so she's substituted a black turtleneck for the collared shirt. This place is an anarchy, after all, so she can't think that a cop ditching part of their uniform guidelines is really going to rank on the radar.

[Rounding a corner on her cruiser, she pauses when a loud voice rings out clearly in the main square. Good gravy, what's with all the yelling. And that's when she sees a rather unmistakable figure standing in the middle of the street, being mostly avoided by the people around him.

[No way, can that really be...? Ralph? Really? It's been over a month since she's seen a familiar face from home (besides Sonic, of course, but that's... a slightly different story)--she'd started to think things were going to stay that way. This isn't a joke, right?

[Kicking the cruiser forward and circling around behind Ralph she folds her arms. Well it sure looks like him, and she really can't imagine anybody looking enough like him for a case of mistaken identity. Time for a test, maybe.]

Wreck-It! You're late.

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[As he takes in a breath, preparing to call out again, he hears it; that familiar, commanding voice. It makes him jump, and in a sort of knee-jerk reaction, he snaps to attention. His back straight, his gut sucked in, his left had at his side while his right hand stiffly holds perpendicular to his temple in a barely passable salute.]

DAH! S-sorry Sarge! I must have made a wrong turn at the statio-.... SARGE! Good, you're here! .... Uh... I don't know how I got here, but-

[He's immediately distracted by her uniform, his body relaxing, and his saluting hand drifting down, slowly to his side.]

Whoa... what are you wearing? They let ME keep my clothes here...

[chargethesebatteries]

[Well, that clinches it--if this Ralph were from a different Fix-It Felix Jr. he wouldn't have reacted that way. This one's hers. And she's actually really glad to see him, to be honest; she's made a couple of friends here, but she doesn't trust easily, and it's been a bit tiring trying to take in all the new people and the new city and new everything.

[She waits while he seems to catch up, the half-assed salute falling away, then hops down from the cruiser and kicks the button to fold it up. Slinging it onto one shoulder she gives him a stern look.]

Like I said: you're late. I've been here for a month now, you really thought I'd just sit around waiting for a way home to fall into my lap? [She makes a sibilant noise and pulls her badge out, flashing it with a grin.] It's a uniform. Sort of. But never mind that--did you just get here just now?

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[Did she just say? -No that can't be right... He starts to say something to his defense, but he's completely derailed by what she's said.]

Wait... what? You've been here a .... a whole month? What but... No! You were in Hero's Duty! Just today! Felix told me you guys had plans to take dance lessons from Yuni and ever-

[Ralph gasped suddenly and clapped his hands over his mouth. He promised Felix he wouldn't let Calhoun know he knew about it...]

I MEAN... no he didn't tell me that but YES you were in your game just today! Hero's Duty wouldn't even be plugged in if you'd been gone for a month!

[He scratched his chest as his eyes darted around, the wheels in his head spinning.]

Yeah, I just got here... The arcade closed a few hours ago so I stopped by a meeting, and I was on my way to see Vanellope before getting some rest... Somehow I ended up in THIS game instead. I don't even know what game this is!

[chargethesebatteries]

[Oh boy. It's still kind of jarring to think about being on this side of the screen, but at least she can save Ralph some of the headache she went through. Or try and save him some of the confusion, maybe; she's not sure the headache is avoidable.

[Refusing to flinch at the mention of Felix, she makes a beckoning gesture with one hand.]

Walk with me; this is kind of a long story and we might as well get out of the rain, at least. [She chuckles dryly.] I'd say this might be a tutorial best given over drinks, but I'm on duty for another couple hours, so that'll have to wait.

[Ducking into a nearby cafe, she flicks two fingers toward the hostess, who neatly steps aside and gestures toward a table in the back. Tamora's not really known for being on the welcoming committee, as it were, but the ever-vigilant sergeant hasn't changed her stripes, despite the slight wardrobe realignment. She's already a familiar face in several coffee shops throughout the city, and this one's one of her more regular stops. She stopped a dine-n-dash in progress just last week, actually.

[Waiting for Ralph to sit down, Tamora plunks herself into the chair across from him and rests her elbows on the table.]

So don't tell me: you didn't listen to a darn thing the woman in the compound said to you, did you?

[It's not really a question. She knows Ralph this well, at least.]

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[Ralph lets her lead him to the back of the cafe, making sure to side step and maneuver his way through the tables, careful not to knock over or step on anything. When they get to their table, he tests the chair with his hand before sitting down, wincing as it creaks slightly under his weight. He sits very still, staying alert for a few moments incase the chair gives. Satisfied that it'll hold, he addresses Tamora.]

Okay! So... tutorial, huh? I guess that's good... because uh.... no I actually didn't really listen to her. I was distracted! I didn't think I'd be staying here or anything.... ...And it was such a lot of information...

[He shrugged his shoulders, wishing he had a real excuse, always eager to meet the Sarge's expectations... But always feeling like he'd fallen short.]

I really didn't think I'd be needing any of it later...

[chargethesebatteries]

Well, don't read too much into it: I just want to avoid you getting caught in the mess I almost wound up in. [These players aren't ready for the idea of a program being alive. Not most of them, anyway.

[She glances up and gives the waitress a small nod when she pauses just long enough at the table to drop off two cups of coffee and then moves on. Sliding one across the table to Ralph, Tamora gives him a stern look.]

No sense mincing words, Wreck-It: this isn't a game. We didn't take a wrong turn at Pac-Man, we didn't miss our stop--we're not even in the arcade anymore. [A pause to let this sink in, and she takes a thin drag off the top of her coffee without adding any cream or sugar to it. Setting the mug back down almost dramatically, she lifts her chin.] That crazy lady in purple wasn't a particularly long-winded opening sequence tutorial. We're on the other side of the screen.

[Oh, was she supposed to wait to drop that shoe?]

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[He thanks the waitress and Calhoun as she passes him the drink. A sip of something warm would do him some good after spending some time in this chilly map. He takes the tiny cup delicately between his oversized fingers and raises it to his lips, blowing along the rim to cool of that first taste.]

"...isn't a game.... not even in the arcade... other side of the screen..."

[The coffee has barely hit his lips when those words sink in.]

PFFT come again?!

[Before he knows it, the cup slips from between Ralph's fingers as he scrambles to try and stop it from hitting the floor, clapping it between his hands, it's contents spilling into his palms. He bites his lip to stifle a yelp and not cause a scene, before opening his hands to reveal the cup... or the pieces of it, rather. Embarrassed, he brushes the pieces of the cup onto off of his hands and onto the table, then dries his hands off on his overalls. Annoyed with himself, he straightens up, clears his throat, and returns his attention to the Sergeant.]

Okay, I've never known you to have much of a sense of humor... but-are you-is this a joke? ... I mean... Did Vanellope put you up to this? Sounds like one of her pranks or something...

[He flashed her an incredulous smile, almost ready to laugh along, but it quickly fades... Deep down he can sense she's as serious as a Cy-Bug in Sugar Rush. Also her stone-faced glare as she waited for him to catch up kind of cinched it. He sighs heavily and looks around the cafe, trying to make sense of it all before looking back at her skeptically.]

So... .... did they move our machines to a new arcade? Or... what do you mean other side of the... ...How is that possible? I was JUST in the... What about our games?! What if they get unpl-

[He stops talking, and runs a hand through his hair, attempting to keep calm as he senses his anxiousness getting a little close to the surface. He leans back in his poor, creaky, chair.]

...What do we do?

[iorhael]

[Frodo has just had the misfortune to pass very close to this giant of a Man - had he not seen him move, he might very well be mistaken for one of the makeshift mannequins the vendors had tried to set up.

As it is, Frodo rocks back on his feet. His ears ring; that was a mighty shout. Frodo in turn calls up to him]

Goodness, no, you needn't shout so! There is no "Game Central" here!

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[Ralph's about to call out again when he hears the soft voice. His eyes dart around trying to find the source when he finally spots the compact man with the wide eyes at his feet. He sidesteps to give the little guy some space.]

Whoa! I, uh, I'm sorry, Sir. I ... is this your game?

[He did his best to hide his anxiety in this unfamiliar territory and give a warm smile to the strange new face.]

[iorhael]

[It's a very good thing that there aren't any other hobbits about just then; this... Frodo hesitates to call him a Man, because who has hands that large or that kind of posture - might very well have stepped on one and not even known it!]

Frodo, and no, I hardly think this is a game at all, much less one of my own making.

[The Man has a friendly enough smile, but it's met with an odd look from Frodo. Why, if this is his idea of a game, what must that say otherwise?]

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[Maybe this guy was just plugged in or something, running on a clean slate. Ralph remembers what it was like when his machine was first turned on, constantly working in demo play mode, even after hours, before he realized he could rest or socialize. He takes a knee and offers a mammoth hand to Frodo, for a friendly shake.]

Nice to meet you, Frodo. The name's Ralph. ...Actually though, I didn't mean to ask if this was a game you'd made, but ... more like.... uh... well how long have you been here? In this... uh... What did the lady call it? Nexus-Exus...Exs- Exsilium? I'm new, I really don't know anything about how to pla-go about... business here. Or what the object of this gam-...society? Is?

[Ralph smiles uncomfortably, hoping he managed to say something Frodo could make sense of.]

[iorhael]

[Ralph bending down to greet him is rather like a mountain trying to lower itself! Frodo hesitates, then copies him, putting a hand out into his. His hand is completely engulfed by the hand, and Frodo has to wonder for a moment if Ralph might have some Cave Troll blood in him somewhere down the line.]

Nice to meet you as well, Ralph.

I've been here some number of weeks now. Exsilium, yes, there you go.

Surely they must have explained some of it? This is no game, they mean for us to fight on their behalf or to help their own soldiers. They say that our own lands depend on it as well.

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[Ralph nods as Frodo recounts some of the information from the tutorial... er, initiation? At least the details are consistent. The last part piques his interest in particular.]

Hmm, so we're like recruits then? I was a soldier once, it didn't go very well... I don't know how much help I can be really! But... if it's true, if it's for the safety of our homes, I guess there's really no choice.

[He's still not 100% sure how his home could be in danger, but he'd rather not risk the safety of his loved ones by not at least trying.]

Wait, so have you had to fight yet? I mean, I don't want to offend you or anything, but you don't strike me as a fighter. You're so unassuming! Ooooh! I get it, you make them think you're not a threat and then you catch them off guard right? Oooh that's good! I definitely can't do that, people usually run from me on sight.

[He catches himself yammering on and quells his excitement before he scares Frodo off.]

Ahem, anyway, I'm sure you must be pretty skilled at whatever it is you do to get recruited by these guys.

[spottyjudgement]

[A rather large cat pauses at Ralph's loud question, and sets down the bag that's in his mouth to sit down and...well, look up. This guy was tall.]

'Fraid I haven't heard of a Game Central, but, uh... Were you listening to the lady when she brought you through?

[wrecklesswreckinball]

[You'd think after so many years interacting with characters from other games, that it would be hard to surprise Ralph... but this is not the case. He takes a step back, startled not only by the cat, but the voice coming from it! After a moment he collects himself and expresses his confusion]

I did listen to the lady, I just thought I'd stepped into the wrong game, figured I could skip the tutorial and get back to my own. But apparently this ... isn't a game?

[He probably sounds crazy, so he elects to stay quiet about his predicament and introduce himself. He offers a friendly smile and a giant hand for a shake.]

So, uh. Sorry, Hi! Name's Ralph, nice to meet you...