transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date & Time: Oct. 24th
Location: The Initiative Hold
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been led to a banquet room within the Hold.
Warnings: None.

NOTE: This takes place during this plot, though the plot log will not be posted until tomorrow. The Transports already in game have returned from their mission to find the island overrun with monsters. The log is set within the safety of the Initiative Hold, however, so while characters will be aware of what is going on outside, they can otherwise go about their business as usual if they choose.

--

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. She looks worse for wear, pale and gaunt, though is putting a great deal of effort into maintaining her energy and professionalism for the new Transports. "I am truly sorry that you came at such a bad time. That wasn't intentional, I assure you."

She leads the way through the Initiative Hold. The walls bear the occasional claw mark as a sign of the misfortune that has plagued the island, but it hardly seems deserted anymore due to the other Transports recently returning from their mission. After turning several corners, you arrive in a large room that has been transformed into a makeshift banquet hall. The food presented is perhaps not as luxurious or bountiful as one would hope, but it is certainly enough to go around, and isn't inedible by any means.

"We wanted to try and make this up to you," she explains. "It's meagre, but we did not have much time to prepare." There are a number of Transports already present, some looking over the long banquet table, others seated throughout the room at large, round tables meant to each seat eight people. The mood is grim, despite the Initiative's efforts to raise morale.

Before the Greeter turns to leave, she is reminding you that it will be perfectly safe to explore the Hold, the courtyard, the housing building, and even a several block radius around it. "Hopefully things will be back to normal soon."

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

Comments

[arcanepower]

[There are many people gathered. So many, in fact, that it might be easy to overlook someone who barely hits five feet. He's a kid, no older than fourteen by the looks of it. He's got some serious bedhead, though, and his robes are a deep blue-violet, made of some kind of fantastical fabric that shimmers of enchantments in the right light. They look old, though, and well-worn besides. The most stunning things about him are his long thin ears and glowing green eyes. It's a sickly green, not something you'd want to see outside of a Halloween decoration.

He sits at a table all by himself, clutching a metal staff protectively. His expression is completely on edge. He has a full plate, untouched. His reaction to this whole thing is close to a captive, scared, starving animal with food in front of it.

It's only a matter of time before he scarfs it down. Probably.]

[ghostling]

[Ghost slides into a seat across from elf. Not an inch of skin can be seen on the woman, even her head is covered by a hood and mask. A mask that makes her look more a robot than human. And her arms are a strange sight as well. They're made up of a strange energy of green, blue, yellow and black that shifts and pulses as if it's alive on it's own.

The uniform she wears looks pristine, mostly black with blue paneling along the sides and gold accents here and there.]

Is there a reason you sit alone? [The voice that filters through the mask is almost hollow and robotic.]

[arcanepower]

[Rule one of not scaring the shit out of children: DO NOT APPROACH THEM WITH FREAKY GHOST ARMS AND A ROBOT MASK. Belthazar was JUST beginning to eat, but he jumps like two feet into the air and flings himself backwards instead.

He'll come up with a proper greeting when he's picked himself up off the floor.]

[ghostling]

[Ghost seems just as started by his reaction as he is of her. She jumps up and peers over the table at him.]

I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. Are you...okay? [The mask does a horrible job at relaying the worry in her voice but it's there.]

[arcanepower]

[... Okay, she's not trying to strangle him and he's pretty sure he has full control of all his magical faculties.

He is ready. He is ready to socialize.

He straightens slowly, tugging his crooked robes into the right place and leaning on his staff for support. He takes a deep breath and visibly toughens up-- chin lifting, his gaze even.]

What are you?

[dusk_and_dawn]

[Balder waits a few moments but it doesn't seem as though the ... elf? is going to relax. When he does not, Balder finally gives in and approaches him, keeping care to stay in his line of sight.]

The battle appears to be outside. It would be best to gather your strength for when we confront it.

[arcanepower]

[Thankfully, Belthazar spots him coming. His expression does not light up when he sees the supposed 'human'; rather, he gets more and more sour.]

What does it matter to you, human? I can handle myself.

[dusk_and_dawn]

[Balder stops now that he has Belthazar's attention.]

I am not human but Asgardian, and I simply thought you may be more at ease with one to watch your back. We are all of us captive here, and it would be to all our gain if we could unite in purpose.

[arcanepower]

That kind of idealism makes me sick. [Tough words for a kid, but he seems to believe them.] We might all be stuck here, but you can't trust someone not to stab you in the back if given the chance. This is a war, and both sides want power. The quickest way to power, for some, is taking it from others.

[He doesn't relinquish his grip on his staff.]

Besides, you look human to me, and humans like to kill my people on sight.

[crymoore]

[ Horde. Alliance. So far Jaina's managed to not feel bound to the shackles of Azeroth here in this new land, so when she recognizes him sitting by his lonesome? She doesn't notice the glow of his eyes or the length of his ears; instead it's the manner he holds his weapon and just how long his food has remained dormant on it's plate. ]

Would a bit of familiarity aid with settling your stomach or would you rather explore the new menu that this world has provided us with? [ Concern rests on her tone, but there's nothing forced about her words. As genuine as the soft look in her eyes, she stands a couple feet away as to not alarm him. ] Come now, it does you no good to wait with an empty stomach.

[arcanepower]

[He takes one look at the human woman and begins to scowl. It's only after he's reached full-on scowl mode that he realizes she is a very, very powerful magic user of some sort. And she's a blonde woman. And she's wearing purple.

He tries to formulate a response, but the only thing he can think of is 'I think this is Jaina Proudmoore'. His fingers tremble a little around his staff, and he clutches it tighter, turning his knuckles white.]

I-I'm fine, [he stammers belatedly.]

[crymoore]

[ Fine? There's skepticism in her gaze as she studies him quickly, before taking another step towards him. ]

Are you certain? [ Concern enshrouds every fiber of her being and it shows with the gentle but firm tone she takes. ] With an ally in this place, there is no need for you to hold your weapon like so.

[arcanepower]

[Fuck, he really doesn't do well under pressure. At any other time he could probably lie really well but in truth he's NOT fine. He's NOT okay, and also taking help from any of these strangers is NOT okay.

He stays where he is.] I do not need an ally. I can protect myself. [His eyes don't leave hers.]

Who are you?

[deadelfwalking]

[He can't quite believe the sight at first. Not only was it a living blood elf, it was a child. It's a rare moment when Koltira is completely unsure of himself, but that's exactly how he feels as he observes the young man's agitated movements.

Death knights were not a welcome sight in Silvermoon, and he cannot guess at this little one's attitude. He supposes that staring baldly will not do much for anyone, though.]

Ah. Pardon me. May I sit?

[arcanepower]

[The chilly voice has an undertone of sincerity to it, and familiarity-- the accent of an elf. It catches his attention before the armor does, he's so distracted by his surroundings.

Well. That's definitely a death knight. He's not sure WHO it is, but it's still a death knight. His hatred of undead-- well, of the Scourge-- puts him on edge.]

What-- [Oops, that was more like a squeak than a greeting.] What do you want?

[deadelfwalking]

Merely to ask who you are, and how you are finding this place.

[he does not offer his hand, but he bows his head and shuts his eyes briefly. His voice is as soft and innocuous as he can manage.]

My name is Koltira Deathweaver. I never thought I would see another sin'dorei here.

[arcanepower]

[It... sort of works. Instead of screaming in his face, Koltira earns a fair share of eyebrow raising.]

I have heard of you, [the boy says quietly.] You brought victory in Northrend.

[A very strong, and very influential blood elf wants to sit with him. He's distantly intrigued, but more scared. Death knights are terrifying, man-eating, Scourge-ridden creatures who only exist to kill.]

... You may sit. But keep your distance.

[#life choices]

[inafadingcrown]

[It might be easy for most to overlook him, but for Galadriel, he stands out in the crowd- whether it be healer's instincts or a maternal urge, there's something about seeing a child in distress that immediately draws her attention.

The ears are a bit intriguing as well.]

May I help you, little one? I do not fault you for being ill at ease here, but you seem to suffer more than most.

[arcanepower]

[He tries to sit up straighter, make himself look like he wouldn't fall over if she breathed in his direction. But his fingers are shaking.]

I-I'm fine, [he stammers, frustrated despite his fear.] I said I'm fine so just leave me alone. I don't need healing, I'm in a dining hall.

[inafadingcrown]

You will forgive me if I say you do not seem fine. [Her tone remains gentle and calm.]

[arcanepower]

[He glares at her as best he can, but... in the end his bottom lip trembles, giving him away. He ducks his head, still holding on tight to his staff.

It isn't fair, that he should be approached by someone who reminds him so much of his sister. It isn't fair that he should be kidnapped and taken away from his search.

It isn't fair.]

[sithiche]

[ It's the ears that catch his attention. Even if everyone he has encountered thusfar with such features has called themselves elves, it still strikes a chord of familiarity in him, particularly when he is otherwise surrounded by so many humans.

The combination of that familiarity and the fact that the other individual looks so young are enough to cause him to muster a level of sympathy that some people would not think Artemis capable of. ]

You alright?

[arcanepower]

[Sadly, Belth doesn't give a shit about your fairy sympathy.]

Tch— I'm fine! Why does everyone keep asking me that?!

[He's... more upset than angry, and definitely more scared than he lets on. Good job, failiar.]

[sithiche]

[ His ears flatten backward somewhat, and his tone becomes flat. ]

Maybe because you look like someone just kicked your dog.

[arcanepower]

[That gets Belth to stop for a minute. His ears flatten too. It's kind of hilarious.]

I don't even have a dog.

[Kid that has nothing to do with this situation.

He glances at the 'elf', then looks away with a huge sigh. It's not an apology, but... it's not yelling. Progress, maybe.]