(no subject)

[initiates]

Date: February 1st
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been shuffled into the Courtyard after their initial briefings, while older Transports are returning from the mission to Uruguay.
Warnings: None.

While those who have been guests of Exsilium since at least the last wave of Transports return from their desperate mission and are pressed out of the Transporter room and into the Courtyard, the Initiative prepares to receive a second wave at the same time. And if you're in that second wave, the fresh meat, then 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

oh no how did i miss this! ;;

[pixieboots]

[ Dick sees it alright; the lighting and the thunder and that... whatever that is there in the sky. He drops his tablet and takes an involuntary step back, open-mouthed and staring. Just as he's starting to regret leaving the Robin suit behind, counting back the minutes he'll need to find an alley and change before it starts swallowing people or blowing things up or whatever it is it's here to do the man appears.

And... okay, maybe after a whole month of cooling his heels in this place he should be a little used to this stuff by now. He shakes off the stunned feeling and vaults over one of the nearby storage crates. Close enough to speak up, not quite close enough to cut off his escape route in case he needs it. ]

Was that...

-Did you see that?

[fe_male]

[ almost crazy frightening but awesome ones?

Tony considers that to be a win, he doesn't care, so long as Steve looks a little bit less like some sort of spider pitifully walking around in the rain. He's not particularly worried about the lie either way though - Tony knows he's an excellent-ish liar when he feels like it (not necessarily when he needs to be) and about something like this, he could easily come up with a slew of reasons as to why the coat should be hanging off of Rogers rather than settled across Tony's own shoulders. He's got a long-sleeved, ribbed shirt on underneath anyway, so he won't get too cold without it. He just works like a lizard and always wants to be warm or hot. ]

Tony Stark. Nice shield.

[singstheprayer]

[Lacus managed a small smile as they pull back a little and Kira picks up Haro. She raises a hand on top of Kira's at her cheek, expression worried but softening at the same time at the reassurance of him being here as well.]

It's all been a lot to take in, but together we can figure it out, you're right. I just hope things are all right back home at Orb, the orphanage.

[tipsygnostalgia]

[Juggalo troll. She knows exactly who you are talking about.]

You mean Gamzee right? I only know of one juggalo troll and he's here somewhere. Creepy as fuck, I try to stay to stay away from him actually. He has this swirly 'N' sign, like the capricorn sign?

What was my sprite like then? Sounds pretty cool even if it wasn't my Mom... [Seriously she hasn't even seen it yet but FUCK that clown.]

Sounds like I have just as much of an info-dump to give you as you have me, we proooooobably should go hang out somewhere more private and talk about it.

[justthedriver]

[ Nikolai knows it isn't polite to stare, but he doesn't think manners matter much - not to this man. Not for himself in any case, but he always had the ability to adapt. It's the most useful and necessary skill, honestly.

Now he just looks at the stranger. Honestly, he's less curious about the reason why the mask exists than the face underneath. It makes things complicated in his line of work when people wear masks. ]

You propose to share space, but don't even share name. [ Very dry. ]

[heartsink]

"Hm?" The change of topic takes her a little by surprise, but not too much; she adjusts the bag on her shoulder, shifts her feet for better balance on the wet ground, and leverages herself to standing in a smooth motion. Naturally, Ruka isn't very tall, just a few inches over five foot, but the tall heels of her boots help; it's one of the many fashion choices she's made to make her appear closer to the age she presents herself. The coat settles, flaring out from her hips; aside from the dark leggings and the scarf around her neck, the coat masks completely whatever she's wearing beneath it. Though fitted, it makes the specifics of her body shape hard to determine; even the dark leggings help obscure details.

In the way that others might use loose sweaters and baggy pants, the picture is deliberate obfuscation—here, through aesthetic appeal.

Ruka twists her hands through her hair, wringing out the worst of the damp. "Yes, I should be alright now."

[ultimate_coordinator]

I am actually worried too. I am worried if Reverend Malchio or any of the kids are here ...

[ He pulls away from her hug, but he doesn't let go of her hand. He didn't like all this. He didn't like it at all. ]

Lets go. We should look for some place safe ... and seenwhat we can find out.

Do you have anything with you? Just you and Pink?

hoards all the betsy

[pixieboots]

Who, me? [ She catches him a little off guard, but it's not as if it's the first time he's come close to being run over in a crowd like this. It's the price that comes with not sticking to the rooftops when you're five feet tall. ]

Yeah, no biggie. Did you think I was somebody else?

[frombrooklyn]

[ Okay, so Steve had something of a game plan figured out from here. Get something to eat, find a pair of shoes, and then head back over to the "housing" was. He'd just sneezed again when out of the corner of his eye, he noted someone approaching, and made to move out of the way to give him room to pass.

Except the guy wasn't passing by, just standing there, and -- hey, there was something real familiar about ... him.

. . .

So apparently, there was some kind of unspoken law out there that every time Steve was completely pathetic-looking and down on his luck, he had to run into his best pal. Because this was Bucky standing in front of him, silent and strange, somehow. Different too, yeah, in a slew of ways that he couldn't identify right away, but Bucky nonetheless.

Steve's mouth fell open, just a little, but apart from that he didn't (couldn't) make a sound and simply stared right back, his grip on the shield loosening without him noticing. ]

[singstheprayer]

I hope the children aren't involved in all of this....and I don't see what help Reverand Malchio might be in this situation...

[Because. He is blind and all, so she really hopes they aren't here as well. Her gaze lowers a little as she shakes her head at his question.]

I didn't have anything else, just Pink. But I think that would be a good idea, I think they said something about us having rooms here, if we can find the right building.

[ultimate_coordinator]

[ Smooth, Kira. Reminding her to be worried about the Reverend. He felt guilty bringing it up, so he gives a comforting smile and squeezed her hand again comfortingly. ]

Hey, just because we're here ... doesn't mean they are ...

They're probably back home tucked in their beds and fast asleep.

[ He nods and began looking around them. Maybe they could follow where the others were going to find where these rooms are. If Lacus and he had no choice but to be separated, then he was going to make sure he is safe first. ]

Lets follow where they're going. Until I know you'll be safe ... I'm not letting you out of my sight.

it's totally cool!

[ofgoldenfoil]

[ Aurican doesn't even see the person at his side, he was short enough to be in Aurican's blindspot. He looks around and stiffens in surprise, his scales clicking in alarm. ]

I'm sorry, I didn't see you. [ Aurican stays absolutely still, afraid he might run someone over as it is his usual luck of things of late. ] Did I hurt you?

[kneecaptain]

[ Okay, so the guy had noticed him. Great. And he— it was like he recognized Bucky, but Bucky shrugged that off. Nah. It couldn't be.

He walked up to the guy. Closer, anyway.]

Uh, excuse me? Are you… are you alright?

[ He didn't know why, but it felt stranger than it should've. ]

[speakveryclearly]

Kanaya likewise repositions herself to a stance that will facilitate walking alongside, to lead Haruka to the apartment complex. There's almost a suggestion of putting her hand on her shoulder but that doesn't even get to the half-of-a-gesture stage. She merely weighs pragmatism with intimacy and chooses to ignore the former. Not to mention Haruka has defended her health at this point anyway.

"Good. The complex is this way."

She envies the act of draining out her hair. It's hard to do that with Kanaya's own style, and she prefers to avoid it by using her insane speed attribute to go around in the rain, but that obviously wouldn't suit Haruka.

[singstheprayer]

I suppose. I hope you're right, Kira.

[She follows his gaze, watching the crowd for a moment before nodding in agreement at the idea to see where they are going. She can't blame him for being a little protective, given the situation, and it would be best to find somewhere else to talk things over properly.]

All right, let's see where they are headed, it might be to the housing building where we can find our rooms. It's worth a try, and if we get lost, we can ask someone, or I think there was a map on these tablets.

[reassures]

[Oh, the friend he'd met here-- that makes much more sense.

Or at least, it makes sense until Oz mentions his name. For a moment Nill looks as though she hadn't heard him right, but... she definitely had.

So this world messed with the dead as well? ...How cruel. She shouldn't be surprised, though. Still, to think Elliot was here... Nill knew next to nothing about the man named Elliot; only that he was Gilbert's brother, that he was perhaps on the angry side, and that he was dead. In his own world, anyway. Apparently not this one.]

Loud people usually are good-- they just aren't very good at showing it at first.

[implying]

Why, don't take what I hadn't gotten around to yet as a refusal!

[ He shifts the umbrella to his other hand, to hold out the right for a confined-space handshake. ]

I'm Vanadi, today's umbrella-bearer. And guide, if you'd like.

[ultimate_coordinator]

[ He smiled and nodded. That was an option too he supposed, but he still felt the need to be cautious until he can figure out what the hell they were up against.

Finding Lacus's room hadn't been as hard as he feared. Surprisingly, this world seemed to be doing its best to make everything easy to navigate. He did feel a bit more relaxed when he saw that she would be with Cagalli at least. ]

It looks like Cagalli is here ...

Listen, I want you to stay here until she gets here. I'm going to have a look around before I go check out where I am staying.

If you're ever in trouble ... call me ...

[velveteened]

Ahahah, that sounds exactly like Elliot. I guess it's just another way of trying not to look shy.

( so, so fond - and how can he not be, after everything? )

[reassures]

I don't think the cold makes people grumpy.

[She smiles.] There are people there I need to get back to.

[Which sounds stupid and cliche, she knows. She's heard it from almost every newbie she's ever met or heard of in the Port. But it's true. Even if it's just for one or two people, who aren't entirely all that bright in their own right, she needs to get back there.]

[singstheprayer]

[Lacus followed as Kira walked, hand in hand as they followed the crowd and managed to find the housing, and to Lacus' room where she would be staying. At least they hadn't gotten lost, it had been fairly simple to find their way here. She hoped that meant Kira would manage to find his way back here, when he said he was going back out to have a look around. She gave a nod, taking Haro as he bounced to her.]

And we're sharing a room, too. I wonder if Athrun is here too. Maybe you two will share a room as well, Kira, if he is. Are you sure? You won't get lost, I hope. But...okay. If I need you, we have the tablets. I'll be fine.

hoards all the lyrie

[boughtabookstore]

No, I just wasn't looking where I was going. [ A beat as she glances down. More kids. They really bring in too many children. ]

Are you just coming in, or were you on the Uruguay mission?

[heirwithouthope]

[Somehow (though perhaps not surprisingly), hearing someone explain the war and their circumstances a second time doesn't help it sink in any easier than before, when the Initiates were telling them what was going on. But the last part causes Thorin to lift both eyebrows, slowly looking up at her like she just grew another head.]

That manner of witchcraft doesn't even seem possible. [Referring to the part about people's ages going up and down, but on that note, the whole thing sounds fucked up.] Are there no warriors here that can fight their own war?

[ultimate_coordinator]

If I'm lucky ...

[ He wasn't too sure about his luck at the moment. Then again, he was lucky that his sister and Lacus would be together. It wouldn't hurt to hope. According to the tablet ... Athrun was here. He just he knew what was going on better than he did. Kira couldn't stand not knowing ... ]

I promise I'll be back for you ...

[ He smiled, then touching her cheek again before bending down to give her a kiss on the cheek. ]

[ofgoldenfoil]

[ Getting the ball, Aurican attempts to stuff it down the bag looped around his neck. But he has some difficulty and eventually the ball bounces off his grip. It bounces and rolls in the dripping rain and Aurican stalks after it - yes, stalks, as he really can't just run after it with the crowd. He might run over someone.

Which is why he is approaching Kang without realizing it. After finally catching the ball before it rolled to Kang's feet, Aurican finally notices the strange bronze-scaled figure. ]

Oh. Hello.