(no subject)

[initiates]

Date: June 1st
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Courtyard after their initial briefings. Now with 200% more People-Seeking lists!
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. Now and then around you you might spot paper fluttering in the faint wind from somewhere relatively dry. It looks like a list.

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

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[sword_dancer_e]

No, it didn't make much sense.

Enno got it, but absorbing all the information at once was proving a bit difficult for his undisciplined mind. Sure he had the basic idea, however this seemed like something that the details were extremely important in. Not to mention the fact he was dumped out amongst a great many people he didn't know, and didn't even speak the same language as. He could use this odd piece of technology to understand them, so he was told, but that didn't help when he'd never really dealt with tech like this before.

As it was, he drifted to one of the coverings against the wall, picking his way through the primer and trying to understand it. As he was dimly aware Deulnelia was behind on practical applications of technology, he briefly imagined being caught somewhere much more modernized like Atael and being gawked at for being a Knight in armor with a sword slung over his back and on his hip, tapping away at a device like this. It helped settled him a bit, but not much as eventually he'd have to start talking to people to learn more.

[onblackwings]

[ Now there's a familiar sight. Familiar, but not necessarily welcome. Ugh, knights. What are they good for, except breaking up your band of mercenaries and ruining all of your plans. She'd been seated under the cover of some outdoor cafe, but rises when she sees Enno pass. She steps down from the rise of the deck to head after him (conveniently forgetting to pay — oh, well), but raises her voice before she gets more than a few steps. She won't chase after a human, let him stop. ]

You must be new.

[sword_dancer_e]

[He does stop. He also took a moment to fiddle with the tablet so he can at least pretend to know how to turn it off. The tone didn't seem overly friendly, but he could merely be paranoid. He turned, quirking an eyebrow when he sees who has called out to him and this brings him to turn to her fully.]

Yes, Veraun, I am new. May I assist you in some way?

[onblackwings]

[ Veraun? Some title, she assumes. A respectful one, if he knows what's good for him. ]

No. [ She smiles, but it's not a particularly warm one. ] I was just curious. You're dressed like you're from a world like mine.

[ Not that she currently looks it — her entire wardrobe is from Exsilium, and she's been picking up her fashion cues from the more regally dressed of the Transports, and usually ones from ahead of her own time at that. ]

[sword_dancer_e]

[He takes her in fully now, as she's managed to gain his interest. She would be pretty, if the smile was warmer.

Its more her words than appearance though that Enno is focusing on, even allowing himself to look hopeful for a moment. It passes quickly.]

...May we speak for a time then, Veraun? Any sort of familiarity with home would be welcomed.

[It is a title, used more-or-less in the way "Miss" would be used. Manners were a big part of chivalry after all.]

[onblackwings]

[ She could be convinced to feel the same, if her roommate and one of her instructors weren't from Krynn. That's enough of home for her, really. But, oh, she'll humor him. ]

Here? [ Which isn't to say it will be hassle-free humoring. She cocks a brow at him. ] Well, I have a spell to keep off the rain for myself, so I suppose if you're really attached to the idea of talking in the middle of the street...

[sword_dancer_e]

I am already wet. [This was an undeniable point, he was wet long before she had stopped him and getting wetter by the second.]

If you are bothered by it, we can move elsewhere, Veraun. I was just interested in comparing to see how alike our homes were.

[He really doesn't care either way and is debating on addressing her differently because of her demeanor. Having to wait for a signal to charge in the rain really makes you appreciate just how pointless it is getting upset over it.]

[onblackwings]

I'm not bothered by it, I'm just not interested in being mowed down or shoved into a rain puddle. Maybe that's what knights prefer, but I think I'll move us.

[ And with that decided, she starts off to the side for an underhang from a building, clearly expecting to be followed. ]

[sword_dancer_e]

[Enno briefly considers changing his title of address he was using for this woman from Veraun to Lisct. He follows, deciding not to; if she demanded to know what it meant he would be in a bad way. Plus, maybe he is just grumpy because of being taken here.]

Yes, Veraun. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Would you tell me your name so I may properly address you?

[onblackwings]

[ Even now, she sometimes wonders which name she should give. Dagger is long out of use, but Onyx? Khisanth? She takes a second or two to consider it before answering. ]

Onyx. [ A beat, and without terribly much interest (but it is polite, so): ] And yours?

[sword_dancer_e]

[Her pause does make him curious, but it isn't worth questioning considering how difficult she's being.

At her obvious disinterest, he huffs through his nose, closing his eyes for a moment to settle his nerves, since she was at least being polite about it.]

Veraun Oynx. Call me Enno. Do you take offense to commoners? [Indirectly asking if he has offended her already.]

[onblackwings]

Commoners? [ She aims a considering glance back at him over her shoulder, which seems to judge and find him unsurprisingly lacking. ] No.

[ Another of those smiles, but this one comes with an amused glint. ]

But sometimes I take offense to humans. [ She looks ahead again, leading the way up onto another raised cafe porch. ]

[sword_dancer_e]

[The glance earns a showing of teeth as Enno manages not to outright growl with this belittling attitude Onyx has.]

...Non-Human? [His irritation dries up quickly as she hooks his interest more intensely than before, and he follows her up onto the cafe porch. It is now his turn for a considering look, this one more focused than her short glance. At last his brow crinkles in thought before he gives in and asks then question she may be expecting.]

What kind, Veraun Oynx? Demon? [His best guess.]

[onblackwings]

[ She looks a little displeased by the word. Ew, demon, really? Flatly: ] No.

[ This still feels a little strange, but Crucible had told her that there wasn't much issue in telling people your true nature... She covers the indecisive moment with an idle study of the nails of one hand, and glances over with a small smile when her decision is reached. ]

Dragon, actually.

[sword_dancer_e]

[Being very questioning of the look, he tilts his head to the side while she engages in being fascinated by her nails, something that he just will not understand about some people. He keeps his trimmed and neat, but he doesn't make a fetish of it. It is when she finally answers that his eyes start to widen dramatically. He steps up much closer than he was allowing before and leans in curiously.]

...Truly, Veraun?

[He is scrutinizing her now. The eyes were different from his, but then again he's never(knowingly!) met a dragon before, so who is he to say what one looks like.]

I am deeply honored. I have always desired to meet one.

[onblackwings]

[ "Deeply honored" is a good start. She looks pleased, and congratulates herself on a decision well made. ]

Then today is your lucky day, isn't it?

[ She leads them to a covered table and takes a seat, draped casually to continue her idle study of him. Not bad, for a knight. ]

There are a few of us around here, actually. But you're especially lucky to have met me first.

[sword_dancer_e]

[He opts to make an agreeing noise instead of answering. The question to him sounds as if it were so obvious it hadn't needed to be asked. Also on his mind was the puzzlement of female dragons. of course there were, he just hasn't really thought about it and here the first dragon he meets happened to be a female. Irony being lost on him, he looks at the chairs surrounding table and decides they're too fragile for him.]

Oh? [a beat, because he's puzzling over what to say.] I do not consider myself so lucky, usually. I must be to meet such a kind dragoness. [Might as well try chivalric flattery! At least, since he gets the obvious impression that humans are not on her good list normally.]

[onblackwings]

[ That pleasure fades a little, annoyance creeping back in again. ]

To meet a dragon, you mean. [ That -ess is stupid, and she's not even going to bother adding back in the "kind". ] We aren't as concerned by male and female as you, and we definitely don't make up new words for the same thing.

[ well so much for chivalry ]

[sword_dancer_e]

[It really seems like women are the same, no matter the species.]

Yes, Veraun. I apologize.

[If it sounds noncommittal, its because he is thinking the matter over. She did have a point; Non-Humans back home didn't think like humans at all. He's even adopted a classic pose of one arm crossed while holding his chin with the other.]

Well, educate me if you would. I've only read books, written by humans, so I believe you can tell me much better things as to how to address and speak to a dragon. I would be deeply indebted for anything you would share.

[onblackwings]

Undoubtedly.

[ It sounds haughty, but she's caught a little off guard by the question. She's never had to consider that before, though of course she knows what she prefers to hear.

In a moment: ] With respect. You have it down decently already, but it's important to remember that the creature you're addressing could chose to devour you at more or less any moment she wants.

[sword_dancer_e]

[While he briefly considers a joke, Enno lets it pass. The joke in question being about how she may find it difficult, but Oynx has already made it clear she doesn't like her superiority being called into question. He nods after taking it in.]

Of course, Veraun. Thank you. What other things do dragons like?

[onblackwings]

[ She considers, then with a tiny smile, begins to wonder just how demanding he'll let her get. If he's really as respectful as he seems, she might just get something out of this. ]

Tribute.

[sword_dancer_e]

[Enno's eyes slide shut and his brow crinkles as he thinks the matter over. The word tribute always held a sour taste for him, and while she is being very amiable, the feeling crept up that she would be much less so if he didn't give her something. He opens his eyes so he can address her.]

Veraun, while you have easily held my eye with your beauty, and just from your very bearing I can see the power that courses through you, I can not give you tribute, without terms.

[He lets that hang in the air a moment before just speaking again. He didn't have a plan when he rambled just now, and certainly doesn't now.]

The word tribute. I suppose you want all that glitters and all things precious. Does that include the stars and a life? If it is gold, I have a little from home, but you may have to be patient if you desire something of earnest value.

[He sighs. That is the most speaking he has done in a long while, it stirred memories of declarations of love. It only serves to make his countenance drift into a barely restrained frown at the memory.]

[onblackwings]

[ That isn't a "no", which she'd been expecting. People may respect and fear her dragon's shape, but it's a different matter entirely when she claims it from her puny human cage. She can't help the greedy little spark that comes to her eye, and she sits forward just slightly. ]

What do I care about stars and a life? I can't polish either of those every day. [ She smiles. ] Gold will do. Gems are even better-- they don't tarnish.

[sword_dancer_e]

[he keeps quiet through her words, and when she finishes, he reaches into a bag on his belt, fishing through it and taking out a pouch. He spares her a measuring glance before he counts out 20 gold pieces, placing them into the bag loose before he offers the pouch.]

I am in need of a small bit of money for emergency. [He leaves it at that. Remaining in the bag are 60 pieces of gold stamped with the seal and imagery of Deulnelia.]

As for jewels... [He unlatches his breastplate on one side, and unclips a small sapphire brooch that once pinned a cape to his shoulders. It was a gift upon reaching Lord Knight, but he doesn't need it anymore; it only holds bad memories. He stares at it for a long moment with a pained look before he places it on the table and latches his armor shut again. He then rises and bows.]

I think I have taken enough of your time today, Veraun. Enjoy your tribute.