transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date: January 3rd
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been led to a banquet room within the Hold.
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.

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

[ladyofrivendell]

[Celebrian is doing some shopping of her own, specifically for fabric in faint pink shades for a dress she's been working on. The elf isn't wearing a cloak herself but she does spot the Hobbit avoiding others that are out shopping. Quickly dropping the marques into the sellers hand and gathering the fabric before following.

Though she typically wears more fair cloaks, she does recognize the one he wears. Or rather, that it is of elven make. And when one person comes a bit to close to him, and she worries of course for he is quite small compared to many people she's met here, she reaches out to gently tug the Hobbit away.]

Forgive me.

[It's said softly enough, just for the Hobbit to hear.]

[foolofatook]

[He looks up in surprise, but the touch is gentle, and it's a fine lady, not an Orc or Uruk or some terrible, sneering creature. Therefore, he allows himself to be guided.]

I fear I am beyond the eyesight of most in the market today. Thank you.

[ladyofrivendell]

You are most welcome, little one. Let us find somewhere away from these folk unless you've more shopping to do?

[Several people step around them now, the elf ensuring that no one comes close to stepping on the Hobbit.]

[foolofatook]

Oh no, not at this time. I have food, and that is all I need at present.

[He holds up his half-eaten pastry to show her.]

[ladyofrivendell]

[There's a faintly amused smile on her lips and she nods before leading him to a less crowded area and heaving a soft sigh.]

Such a crowd this day that I am glad I came early. Lest it become even more so with the newest Transports.

[Of course, she hasn't yet realized that he is among the newest ones.]

[foolofatook]

I've not been here before, my lady. But it does seem a press of people.

[He gives a bow from the waist, wet hood dripping water on his large feet. Then he straightens up.]

Peregrin Took, son of Paladin. An honor to meet you.

[ladyofrivendell]

Ah, then welcome to you. It is an honor, Peregrin Took, to meet you as well.

[She inclines her head, rather than bowing herself, and smiles. Perhaps reminiscent of her mother.]

I am Celebrían, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel.

[foolofatook]

[His eyes light up.]

Daughter of the Lord and Lady of Lorien! I am most honored to meet you, and to have it be you who has rescued me from being stepped upon, for your parents provided great comfort and supplies to my company while we stayed in the Wood for a time.

[ladyofrivendell]

Oh! You have met them then? So few have ever traveled through Lorien that their names often go unrecognized but by my kin.

[She chooses not to comment on their generosity, knowing that her parents are not cruel and would help others. Especially when they permitted them to enter the realm. It seems natural enough.]

You may be glad then to know that the Lady of Light is here in Exsilium, though she is not.

[foolofatook]

[Pippin tilts his head, looking like he's trying to work out a riddle.]

She is not glad, or she is not here?

[ladyofrivendell]

[Celebrian gives an apologetic smile. Her thoughts are partly elsewhere today, if the fabric she'd braved the rain for was anything to go by.]

She is not glad. None of us are. This place, this war is not ours as you know.

[foolofatook]

[No he nods along.]

Yes, but the war back home was not my own either, yet it became mine. Wars spread, as they are wont to do, and home shall not always be safe from it.

[Why, Merry would be proud to hear that Pippin actually learned something from him!]

[ladyofrivendell]

I fear I know little to nothing of the war you fight back in Middle Earth but it belongs to the world we know.

I suppose there is little point in complaining though. Is there anything that I can do to help you adjust to Exsilium, Peregrin?

[foolofatook]

Oh, I thank you, my lady. Let's see, I think I understand the bank, and how to buy things here.

[He looks around.]

I've heard of the training place, and that I am to live with several others. Hmm, I must say nothing comes to mind.

[He's a simple fellow, really.]

[ladyofrivendell]

Wonderful! And you may call on me if ever you have need, whether you need help or simply wish for company. I've more than enough time on my hands now than I did in Lothlorien.

[foolofatook]

How kind! I am to use this to call you, am I not?

[He pulls the tablet from his pocket and gives it a skeptical look.]

Is this safe? I mean, there is no danger in talking through them? I wouldn't wish for... any fell creature to use it to see me.

[You know, like that time he tried to Skype with the palantír and ending up calling the Dark Lord Sauron?]

[ladyofrivendell]

It is as safe as it can be and I believe messages can be kept strictly among certain individuals. Unfortunately, I've not yet learned how to do that well enough to use it.

[He's the worst skype partner.]

Otherwise, I live in unit two-zero-eight. If you ever feel the tablet may not be safe to talk through.

[foolofatook]

Perhaps I will learn how to send a private message as well.

[He takes a bow.]

I thank you, my lady.

[ladyofrivendell]

There are many here who would teach you. I have a few who offered to help me when I first arrived.

[She inclines her head, smile on her lips.]

You are most welcome, Peregrin.

[foolofatook]

I had better be off, to find this "unit" of mine, and to sight-see along the way, I daresay. I will see you again, I am certain.

[ladyofrivendell]

Enjoy yourself while you can and I'm certain that you will.