transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date & Time: Sept 23rd, 2012.
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been 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. "This isn't standard," she's saying, walking perhaps faster than most of the people she's dragging around. "We don't normally have so many Transports at once. 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. 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. 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

open;

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Exhaustion tears at her very being, but this young maiden manages to keep up with everything she's been told. Once they're out into a clearing, she does break away to explore a bit herself with the hope that stimulation of her body will wake her up. It seemed unlikely though as the pounding in her head threatened to drown out everything around her. She should have asked just who her Master was here, but even Saber herself could tell that such a person failed to exist. There was no link, no prana coursing through her form to give her strength, but here she was as solid as a real human.

There were other ways of acquiring strength and so Saber makes her way to the first table that sells something to eat. It wouldn't be much of a restoration, but it'd be enough to stop the headaches. And that? That would be most appreciated. ]

[fortissimos]

[ Even amongst the crowd, someone like Saber has a tendency to stand out - both her outfit and the way she carries herself are enough to catch Sayaka's attention, and she glances over from her position in front of the table. She had been thinking of grabbing a meal before going back to training, but, well. Food can always wait. ]

Hey. You're new, right? [ Not that being new seems to be a rare thing today. Sayaka can't be sure, but she'd remember seeing someone like this before, and the natives would never wear anything like that. ] The food's kinda weird, but most of it's okay. Just don't go expecting anything to look the same.

[ Those strawberries she saw once... what even. ]

[ex_cashcow493]

New? [ There's an intimidating edge in her tone at first when she's singled out, but once she gets a look at Sayaka, the hostility in the air around her begins to dissipate quickly. ] Yes, I just arrived.

What is this about the food though?

[ Why would it not taste as it appears? The thought leaves her puzzled as she spares another quizzical look towards the table. Food being manipulated in any form left a bad taste in her mouth figuratively. ]

[fortissimos]

I, It's nothing bad. I guess some things just change over time.

[ And become mutated, apparently. That momentary hostility was more than a little evident - Sayaka hesitates, but eventually decides to continue; glancing over at Saber again. ]

Has anyone shown you around? This place can be pretty confusing at first, so...

[ex_cashcow493]

[ The manner she speaks takes her by confusion temporarily, but Saber doesn't speak until she's collected her thoughts. Once composed, she shakes her head. ]

No, no one has yet. [ Shifting her weight to become more comfortable in place. ] Are you up for the challenge?

[ Saber doesn't think it much of an easy feat to explain this, all of this, to a newcomer. If this girl was willing to show her then she's all too willing to allow her. ]

I know I would appreciate it.

[fortissimos]

[ Well, that's somewhat reassuring. Sayaka relaxes a little, figuring she's formed the wrong impression. ]

Yeah, I don't mind. I was just gonna go train anyway, so it's no big deal. [ She can always do that later, but being helpful takes priority. After a pause, she offers her hand with a grin. ] Ahaha, I should probably introduce myself first, right? I'm Sayaka.

[ Also known as 'loser', 'idiot', or both. ]

[ex_cashcow493]

A pleasure, Sayaka. [ With that, she'll take her hand and attempt to plant a kiss on the top of it. Don't mind her old knightly fashion. ]

You mentioned training though. What sort, might I ask?

[shutupmerlin]

[ Normally Merlin gets sent to fetch things from the market, but Arthur gets restless in that small apartment and sometime roams himself. Granted, he has no idea what he can purchase to make anything like meals, but he usually just picks up what looks immediately edible and has a snack while he walks.

This is what he finds himself doing when he happens up beside Saber at the stall, glancing over the produce and various prepared meats offered. He's been to this stall before and seems to remember not really being to fond of it, so he leans a bit to the side and gives a kind of friendly mock-conspiratory whisper to the person next to him. ] I wouldn't try this one. The bits that look like chicken? Taste like feet.

[ex_cashcow493]

Feet? [ Disregarding how gross that is in the first place for a more favorable question: ] How would you happen to know what feet taste like?

[ Realizing shortly after how rude the remark was, she finds herself turning to face him. ]

Apologies, it seems I am still in disbelief over this entire matter. [ She almost paid for disgusting meat, so the least she can do is present herself in a pleasant manner towards her 'savior'. ] Have you a vendor worth the coin then?

[shutupmerlin]

Well. [ Didn't think about that. Oops. ] Call it a guess.

[ He gives a slight shrug to the apology, waving a hand dismissively. An eyebrow quirks at her and he takes a step back from the stall as he speaks. ] I'm assuming you mean Exsilium and not why the stall is permitted to sell such horrid goods. [ He's in a relatively decent mood, so he's cheery enough explaining. ] Yes, the one on the end of this row. They've got this thing on a stick that's simply excellent.

[ex_cashcow493]

A thing on a stick? [ What kind of food can really be called that? ] Meat or something indistinguishable?

[ Either way if he's willing to say that it's good, then she's not going to take any risk in it. Food is valuable to her in every way. ]

[strategic_guile]

[Blaine was also going through the stalls, trying to figure out what some of the stuff was. Some of it was like home, but so much of it looked normal at first, but upon a second, closer inspection was wrong in some way. He was going to have to find someone else and ask what was what. Assuming they could help...

Turning, he saw someone who stood out from the rest. A small blond girl with a sword that would be taller than her if she were to kneel down. Never let it be said that Blaine was afraid of people with swords. She was definitely a transport, though if she was like him and new or not he couldn't be sure. He stepped next to her and tilted his head towards.]

Hey. Do you know what's safe to eat out here?

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Turning her head to acknowledge his presence, she gives it a light shake shortly after. ]

Afraid I do not. [ Not yet at least. ] I have been advised from a couple of questionable places, but beyond that I have not found one that has left me satisfied.

[ For a new transport she was at least sociable although that could just be due in fact to the conversation at hand. ]

[strategic_guile]

What places were those? [For his own information, as he hasn't done any food shopping himself yet, just looked around. Now he reaches out to pick up a piece of fruit -he hopes- and gives it a small sniff. It smells right. A gentle squeeze to confirm texture.]

Well, this looks and smells right, but there's no telling until we try it. I'd prefer some protein, but I really don't want to go into that blind.

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Raising her arm, she points out the two stalls as though they were the abominations. ]

Fruit is always better. [ If it were fruit, that is. ] Texture may be off, but the smell always goes hand in hand with the taste. Put on your brave face and go for it.

[strategic_guile]

[He gets a good look at the stalls and who runs them, keeping those faces in mind so he can ask other Transport later to confirm.]

My brave face. [He gives a small laugh and palms the apple before taking a bite out of it. He chews, once... twice... and the third time is reeaally slow before he turns away from her and spits it out]

Smell does not match the taste let me tell you.

[ex_cashcow493]

Good to note. My luck will wear eventually in this land. [ Frustrating really, but she won't let it show. Not yet at least. ] How does one find decent food then if not by smell? Reputation?

[strategic_guile]

If by reputation you mean asking other transports what's safe to eat, I'll go with that. [Rolling his tongue in his mouth to try and get rid of the rest of the taste.] I wonder if all sweet smelling things taste that way?

[His face says he really, really hopes that's not true] Do you have coin or the card?

[ex_cashcow493]

Coin. [ A quick answer. ] I have little need for a piece of plastic that is meant to serve as currency. Modern day restrictions are tasteless.

[ Realizing that the comment may be considered offensive, she adds on an explanation for that reasoning. ]

It feels more personal to hand over coin instead of just scanning a card. I suppose that is an old fashioned belief and I do not oppose the latter method. I just prefer coins.

[strategic_guile]

[Blaine just laughs at her added diplomacy after the fact.] There are a lot here who would agree with you. Maybe not for the personal touch, but it's all the same in the end as long as they get paid.

[Pauses to look at something else, but he isn't up for trying more strange foods after the last time. He turns his attention to her and holds out a hand.] My name is Blaine.

[ex_cashcow493]

Saber.

[ It's a simple title, but giving away her true name in this place is still a risk she's not up to taking. With that, she'll take his hand. ]

What method did you choose since we are on that topic?

[strategic_guile]

Saber? Like the sword? [Arches eyebrow]

The card. People rarely used cash where I'm from.

[ex_cashcow493]

Yes. [ Although she's not thinking to correct on any potential spelling errors that may occur. ] Is it so strange to be named after that?

Hm, but as for the card, I fear ever arriving in a land of that nature. Why is it that way?

[strategic_guile]

Yes and no. It's a strong name, but not something people of my time would use for a name.

[He thinks for a second] You can carry more money on you than you ever could with cash. If you lose the card, you can cancel it and the money wouldn't be able to be spent. Unlike if you lose cash, where the odds you'll get it back are slim to none.