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transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

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

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[ Knowing that new Transports had arrived, Rika had a little bit of hope that she would find her friends from home. Being only about ten-years-old, she was tinier compared to most of the people around.

As she pushed her way out of the crowd towering over her, she spots the white-haired boy by the wall staring at her. Or was he staring at another passerby? She's not sure... but she finds herself staring right back. ]

[ A kid. Finally, something familiar he feels he could handle. That is, if she could see him. He watches her leave the crowd closely and when she finally seems to take notice of him, a little hopeful thrill runs though him despite himself. He can't quite squash it down which he knows is just going to lead to disappointment if she can't see him, but oh well.

He smiles reassuringly, taking a step forward as he calls out, voice uncertain but hopeful. ]

Hey, kid.

[ Kid? She definitely can hear and see him. She would pause and glance around, but there were mostly grown ups in the area at the moment. Who else would he be talking to? There really weren't too many other children. ]

...Hello to you too. [ A small, sheepish smile. ] You must be one of the newcomers. Do you need any help?

[ A breath escapes him that he didn't realize he'd been holding when she replies to him and it turns into a sigh of relief. His smiles grows wider, more confident. He takes another step, but into the air, letting the wind carry him closer to her where he lands nimbly on his feet and crouches down to her level in front of her. ]

Yeah, and I don't know. It's still kinda sinking in. Have you been here long? [ Because the way she'd just spoken made it sound like she wasn't one of the people that had just arrived. ]

M, mii... [ A little squeak of surprise. She's briefly startled as she watches him step into the air. Not like it's her first time seen someone go through the air like that, but seeing someone besides Hanyuu do it comes as a small shock. Her shock quickly fades and she carries on speaking normally, shaking her head. ]

...For a little over a month now. It's not as long compared to others.

[ Such a timid little girl. Jack quickly dials down his enthusiasm and sits down indian style, adopting a more calm demeanor as he lays his staff down in his lap. He's not the best at sitting still, but he could try for the sake of making this girl feel more comfortable around him. ]

Still, that's gotta be tough. This place doesn't exactly seem the most cheery. [ He tilts his head, offering a more subdued, but still reassuring smile. ] What's your name?

...Someone once organized a masquerade for us. We have some rare moments of happiness here.

[ A little timid, only for now! She hadn't expected she'd be trying to assist any newly arrived Transports. It's tough having to live in a world without her friends, but she hardly shows her sadness in front of anyone. It's mostly a blank, doll-like look or a small smile.

And a small smile is what she gives the boy. ]

My name is Rika. Rika Furude.

That's good, though that sounds more like something for the grown-ups.

[ But he was here now, he would be able to provide some fun for the kids too and he was already feeling determined to make that happen. ]

Hi Rika, I'm Jack Frost. [ And here comes the suspenseful moment of whether she'll recognize him or not where Jack unconsciously finds himself holding his breath and trying hard not to hope too much. ]

Mii. There really weren't any fun games to play at the masquerade...

[ If only her friends were around, they might have turned the food table into some inelegant eating competition. ]

...Jack Frost. [ A pause and a curious stare. Isn't that a character from folklore? She remembers a few details about it... ] Like from the story?

[ He would have commented that they'd just have to make up some fun games for the next time themselves, but he gets too caught up in the suspense of her answer.

The pause is almost like eternity to him, but then ... He can't contain his excitement and he hops a little in place, suddenly making snowflakes burst to life around him unconsciously as he grins widely. ]

Yes! That's me! I'm that Jack Frost!

[ Woah, he's startling her again with that burst of excitement! Only for a second though. She can't help but light up at seeing the snowflakes! She's not the kind to cheer loudly, but her smile is even wider now. The last time she saw snow was around Christmas and it didn't last long. After it disappeared, she returned to thinking it would take her a hundred years to see it. Or perhaps never again. ]

...You're really Jack Frost. [ The story isn't too popular on her side of the country. She only vaguely knows about the personified winter being from struggling to read books to relieve her boredom back home. ] I am... very lucky to meet you today.

[ "It's a pleasure to meet you," is what she would normally say, but considering the circumstances back home, it is very lucky for her. Maybe like a miracle. ]

[ Jack somehow finds himself perched on the balls of his feet in his excitement again as he nods enthusiastically. The way she lights up makes it all worth it and makes him feel even better. ]

I'm lucky to meet you, Rika. [ There's an earnestness in his voice and expression and it's what Jack truly feels. He's definitely the lucky one for getting to meet a believer, especially considering how rare they were back home. ]

...Do you really think so? [ She blinks in confusion. ]

I'm not all that special. [ She always thought her role in this world didn't even matter. Besides being able to recall past lives, she's mostly a normal child with normal abilities. Why is she even here to fight a war? Oh, because the Initiative randomly picked her out... ]

Oh, but you are. [ Jack says it with wholehearted conviction and a warm smile. He very gently gives her a tap on the chest to drive his point home. ]

You believe and that makes you very special. [ To him. To the other Guardians. ]

Believe? [ She brings her hand up to her chest, thoughtful as she tries to make sense of his words. Somehow, it reminds her of how she was the only one in her family to believe in Hanyuu's existence. Was it something similar to that? Seeing a spirit god like Hanyuu had always felt natural to her. It wouldn't be difficult for her to hold some belief in other supernatural beings. ]

...Are there many that believe in you, Jack?

[ Everything about his demeanor changes at that question. Not intentionally, but Jack just wasn't good at hiding his emotions in general. There's something sad about him as he shakes his head. ]

No, not really. Not where I'm from at least. [ It was just a handful of kids there. ]

[ ...Her mind kept wandering back to her closest friend back home. It was lonely, wasn't it? She refrains from asking, noticing the change in his behavior. She doesn't want to make it any worse by digging up further details. ]

...I believe in you. You definitely exist.

[ At that he brightens again, smiling gratefully. ]

Thank you, Rika. [ It means a lot to him. He pauses, glancing around before looking back to her, his smile turning into a mischievous grin. ] Wanna go have some fun?

Mii. I could use the excitement in this gloomy setting. [ She doesn't know what sort of fun he has in mind, but she looks up for it. ]

Yeah, that's what I thought. [ The possibilities with Jack are endless! But all of them involve snow and/or ice so that's what Jack starts with as he tries to think of something a timid girl like Rika might like. A sweep of his staff gives them a decent amount of snow to work with. ]

Tell me, what's your favorite kind of winter fun? [ Is that a snowball in his hand just in case she says snowball fight? Yes, it is. ]

...snowball fights. [ Definitely, snowball fights. With her hands, she scoops up some snow and readies it into a snowball. It's definitely a snowball fight. She can't forget the fun she had playing in the snow during Christmas. Did she do the same in Hinamizawa, long ago? She can't remember... but she wouldn't mind doing it again. There's a little mischievous grin.

They're in the middle of a busy area. Just how many people are going to get riled up once they're hit with a barrage of snowballs? It's a thrill for her to think about. There's a little mischievous grin. ]

It looks like we share a favorite, Jack.

[ That's music to his ears, that is. Exactly what he hoped for, because c'mon who doesn't love a good snowball fight? And it's so good to see her matching his mischievous grin too. He glances around them at the crowd, the grin only growing wider at the thought of how perfect this was going to be when they inevitably hit someone else.

A single tap of his staff on the snow has some more ammo readily appearing for them. ]

You've got excellent taste. [ He takes a small leap back to create a good throwing distance, smirking challengingly as he tosses the snowball up and catches it again. ] Show me what you've got!

I will. [ She takes a few steps back herself. The crowd's eyes are on them... they must look strange right now. She doesn't care though. A fun little challenge like this is enough to bring up her spirits. ]

I am a member of a Games Club back home and one of our rules is... [ Once she pats together decent sized snowball, she throws it like one would throw a baseball towards Jack's direction. ]

Play with all your strength!

[ Jack doesn't even notice that people are watching since he more or less automatically assumes people can't see him and his focus is on Rika and her alone now.

He turns his body so that her snowball hits him in the arm rather than straight on his chest with a laugh. ]

A very good rule to have. In that case, I won't hold back either! [ He tosses his own before ducking down to grab another one of the snowballs he's conjured. ]

[ She doesn't move fast enough to fully dodge, so she pulls her arm over herself to block the incoming snowball. Laughing, she drops back down next to the pile of snow, quickly grabbing more ammo. ]

Great. This game's never going to be boring.

[ Popping back up, she readies her snowball to toss it then next moment she sees Jack open for attack. ]

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transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

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