(no subject)

[initiates]

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.

Comments

sorry this is late!!

[pilot]

[ if there is one thing han can spot instantly is someone searching. his job demands it: to pick up or deliver, find new customers and, most importantly, avoid undue attention. she doesn't look lost, which is good because he hates giving the welcome spiel. when she comes close, he calls to her. ]

Looking for something, sweetheart?

no problem! o7

[justgo]

[The way he's posted gives her the idea that he sees something she's been looking for. That, or he's interested in what she's doing for good reason. It's enticing, she'll give that. Hence the little smile as she looks to him properly, rolls her shoulders.]

Could be. You offerin' to help?

[pilot]

[ his answer comes in the form of an easy grin. ]

Depends what it is. I don't really do charity.

annnnd now I'm the late one dsajk

[justgo]

Sounds like my kinda answer. [Making sure there's a grip on her belongings, she holds out a free hand.] You could say that I'm... scouting the area. Things people have, things they don't have.

[A pause.] That sort of thing.

[pilot]

[ he listens, adopting a bit of a lopsided grin. ]

My kind of woman. What have you found?

[ the question's a not so veiled test of her observation skills. ]

[justgo]

For starters, medicine's still a priority, even with some of the 'magical' few we've got around. Healing's still healing. [ She's comfortable with chewing the fat, because if he knows what to do, he might get an offer and if he doesn't want it, well. She's still got other options. A small motion to a building across the way.] That shop over there's lacking in a few items that they'd pay pretty nice for, actually. The owner's got a little to wave around.

Over all, basic needs are met pretty well around here, but there are a few folk who'd like a little excess, lean back and relax.

[pilot]

You're thinking of what? A little redistribution?

[justgo]

Could be. It's enough excitement to keep a girl busy.

Payout's not bad either.

[pilot]

Gonna need a foot in the door first. Some of those healers have damn good hearing. They really don't like people touching their things.

[justgo]

And some people don't trust that kinda thing, no matter how good. I'm gettin' somewhere with this, don't you worry.

[pilot]

Good luck then. Remember to set a little aside.

[justgo]

Your support's noted. How good's your experience in the trade?

[pilot]

Never lost my cargo. [ except for once, but we don't talk about that. ]

[justgo]

Oh, good. I'll list you as a personal reference.

Smuggling a specialty?

[pilot]

[ he smirks. ]

You could say that.

[justgo]

Boy, if it isn't something to hear that.

What'd you say your name was?

[pilot]

Didn't. Han Solo.

[justgo]

[Whistle at that. Sounds familiar, but then again..]

Huh. Quite a name you got there. [Pause before a nod.] Tess.

[pilot]

Should be. I made it so.

[justgo]

What's the deal with that? Embarrassing name or just starting a new you?

[pilot]

Neither. Name's mine. I've made it mean something.

[justgo]

And just what is that something, if you don't mind sharing?

[pilot]

A delivery guarantee.