exsiliumlogs | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Date: September 1st
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Courtyard after their initial briefings.
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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[it's very hard not to notice Celena, though Tempest doesn't approach her just yet. It's one thing to know about there being dragons here, but an entirely different matter all together to see one in person.

She blinks out of her staring, though, and approaches; she'd been told the dragons here were friendly, and she was going to believe it.

Of course, the first thing out of her mouth isn't a greeting, but:]

What a beautiful creature you are.

[The stare does not go unnoticed by the rather observant dragon, though she does not show it at first as she continues about her business. Keeping an eye on the other as she noticed the woman approaching.

A cheerful smile on her snout at the compliment that the other gives by way of greetings, certainly one of the more pleasant reactions she had received. Turning to her as she dips her head.]

Why thank you.

You are quite welcome. [she inclines her head, politely]

Celena Vantari, I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting. [She inclines her head slightly with a polite smile in turn. Curious as to the woman.]

We have not, no. My name is Tempest. Well met, Celena.

Well met indeed, Tempest.

I am curious, would it be correct to assume that your world has a manner of beings similar to myself? Whether under the name of dragon or otherwise.

[After all, her reaction was not of utter unfamiliarity or fear as she had seen in past.]

You would be correct, yes. And they are known as dragons in the common language.

Indeed, it is remarkable even after much experience with it, the similarities between worlds at times.

Have you had any prior experiences with the dragons of your own world?

Indeed. It is a comfort, in a way, to come across those who share those similarities, yes?

[she gives a nod] Once, while traveling. They live on the outskirts of my country, where not many would dare travel.

Quite so, to know there are others from worlds similar to ones own is a comfort indeed. Although it seems those worlds that contain living dragons such as myself and those here are far rarer than those who contain humans and little else.

Indeed? I would assume it was not an all too unpleasant encounter? That is quite interesting, do those that live in such regions number many or are they a more solitary lot?

Mm, I have found the same. It is a bit odd, to me, since I am from a world where, while humans out number most, they are not the only ones.

It was . . . interesting? I did not get close, because the ones in my world are not known for their friendliness. And they do not number many, I am afraid, but they do remain close to one another.

My own world is similar in that regard, humans may be quite common, but they are far from the only race on Antara.

[The slightest chuckle is given to that.]

Few rarely are I have found, of those from other worlds at least. That is good to hear however.

Those of my own world are far more common and indeed only rarely shirk the contact of others.

[she tilts her head, but she listens intently; dragons were a fascinating creature, so learning of others from other worlds, well. Celena had all her attention]

I see . . . even humans and other races?

Indeed..there are whole cities on the continent of Aryn where dragonkind live and work side by side with the other races.

The city of Charis, the largest on Aryn in particular is a sight to behold. The skies above ever busy with the comings and goings of its many inhabitants while in the streets the various races come and go, be they dragon, human, elven or one of Antara's many varied races.

[She can't help but smile as she thinks back to the times her duties had taken her to Charis.]

[she takes a moment to imagine such a world and . . . it's hard, to believe it exists. Her world is full of the opposite.

But it's nice, to think about it]

It sounds . . . truly, truly lovely.

It truly is, there are few places like it.

[She dips her head slightly to that and indeed, Charis itself was not without its internal politics and problems.]

Many cities though welcome the many races, the floating city of Dalaran, the city I currently call home holds itself apart from the politics of the many nations and indeed welcomes all be they of draconic origin or any other race.

I must admit that I wish my world were the same.

[it's out of her mouth before she can stop herself, but after a moment she doesn't seem to mind. Talking about things were growing easier here, and Celena was easy to talk to]

I've had the good fortune to meet some of the other races in my world aside from humans and Elves, but there is no place where we can all come together without worrying about being prosecuted.

Were it only so for all worlds, all nations.

[She offers a slight sad smile to the comment. She had herself seen many instances of such happening both on other worlds and her own.]

That is unfortunate indeed, yet one that many worlds share.

Quite unfortunate.

[she wouldn't get into specifics, though. It was still a bit hard to speak about, her kind being the ones prosecuted the worst of all. She smiles a bit, though, trying to lighten the mood]

Though at the very least, this world does not seem like that.

[Celena dipped her head slightly to the comment, not pressing the matter, though she sensed there was more to it than Tempest let on.]

Indeed, over all the initiative and those here have been quite accepting of the varied races here, likewise with our fellow transports in general. Barring the odd one or two of course.

[She gives a slight amused shake of her head to that as she casts her gaze about the marketplace before returning her gaze to Tempest.]

Have you been here long?

[she follows Celena's look, giving the marketplace a long look before shaking her head at the question]

Two months, today. I am still fairly new.

[Celena offers a slight smile to that.]

Not much newer than I.

I've been here for but a month longer, although this is not the first time I have found myself in such a situation.

[Tempest tilts her head]

What do you mean?

This is not the first time that I have found myself amongst those from other worlds, brought together to fight in such a war. A war fortunately won prior to being brought here.

Although the manner of arrival was somewhat..different between now and then.

[the thought that other worlds did such a thing . . . Tempest wasn't sure how she felt]

Different how?