(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

[inafadingcrown]

[She gives a little nod.] And I am the Lady Galadriel. Well met.

[solitaire]

_{( He doesn't comment on that at first, just nods very solemnly. )}

I'm sure y'do. An' I think you'll find that most of us are workin' on ways ta get back, little by little.

[crystalia]

Don't be. I'm sure you're more than fine, yourself.

_{( At his question, she can't help but giggle a bit. )}

Just a little. I think I can see a bit of him in your face, though.

[crystalia]

Going on five months, now. _{( There's a half-sigh, half-huff at the tail end of that. But then, no one would be pleased to be trapped somewhere that long. )}

Some have been here much longer. I can't say I'm having fun, yet, but I've definitely grown used to this place.

[debtor]

[He waves for Oz to follow]

Someone might have one.

You've just arrived, haven't you?

[Kind of obvious.]

[velveteened]

( oh, then he follows, looking around with interest. )

Is it obvious? ( he asks brightly even though of course it is. ) Well, I guess it would be. Yes, I just got here.

( allen seems really not surprised at running into someone new, he notices. )

[tofindthesun]

Such is the way of Elves. [:>] I shall try to leave further riddling to our Wizard, should he deign himself to arrive.

[whether or not he will speak more of it... well. he'll leave that unspoken.]

And more companionable, as well, though I dislike the knowledge of such friends being brought here against their will.

+gold star!

[tofindthesun]

Nor am I glad to be here, or that any of us are. [..though for legolas, it is less of how much he trusts the initiative, and how much he actually.. cares to help them.]

But you are well, Master Hobbit? Having enough Second Breakfasts and Elevensies?

[maddeninghatter]

Eh?

[ Break's lips twitch into a frown. He bends down (now the umbrella is covering them both) and reaches out, his fingers outstretched, as if for a headpat...


Instead, he flicks Oz's forehead. ]

Don't sound so disbelieving. Or concerned. Children ought to be worrying about themselves, you know?

[tofindthesun]

And I would not ask payment, except what food and lodging I would desire. Though I hear they are providing enough of that as it is.. [a small shrug. he hands over the payment for the fruit, as it is food and he hasn't eaten properly in some days now.]

I know. [a small smile of amusement at first, then one in polite greeting. he returns the bow with his own, though it's a bit difficult without accidentally bumping into someone.] Legolas, of Mirkwood. Well-met again, Zevran Arainai.

[redheadcarrier]

[The tears make Asuka uncomfortable - to be more exact they make her uncomfortably aware that she was on the verge of a similar breakdown when she arrived and so far she's only managed to avoid a complete crash-and-burn because of sheer determination not to. And new friends.

Then she shoves the beginnings of pity and sympathy to the back of her mind where they belong and presses the advantage while she still has it.]

Oh, I know I'm special.

[Well, she pretends, anyway.]

Don't try to blame that on me, princess - I just got here a month or two ago. You're not special or more important than the rest of u - you're stuck here and no one is going to make any exceptions for you! Get used to it!

[Ouch. That's treading perilously close to familiar ground.]

So you better roll up those sleeves and forget about your perfect manicure, because you're going to have to work!

your mom's legs is one of those good ones gone

[tofindthesun]

[basically yes, sure, why not, it's easier to remember.

more like he needs to pay more taxes!! universal ones!! how dare i, i do dare.]

There is always a soldier who does not enjoy soldiering. I need not relish violence to defend that which I hold dear to me, if it is necessary.

mountains of silky shiny golden armpit hair. if thranduil's line is thick eyebrows......

[tofindthesun]

[legolas's experience with gondorian accents begins with aragorn and ends with boromir. aragorn doesn't even count, technically, he speaks like everything. ain't nobody got time to traipse around with southmen (or proper men of the west, or whatever they like to call themselves) like aragorn does.]

A bow may be for hunting or for war. [small shrug-- the concept of warfare at least is not a new thing, though elves tend not to war with each other (excepT FEANOR YOU JACKASS).] Some days I hunt for food. Some days I hunt for those who infest the forest which my people call home.

Then Gandalf leaves Bilbo alone to take care of thirteen dwarves

[heirwithouthope]

Have you seen other dwarves here? Heirs of Durin? Gandalf?

[His tone becomes agitated as he comes closer. It could very well come across as threatening, even though he doesn't intend to hurt Frodo at all. Thorin had been expecting the answer to be yes, and the fact that Bilbo wasn't there leaves him confused.] How is it that you know me?

We were attacked by orcs. [The more Thorin thinks about the situation he was taken from, the more he worries about the outcome: Bilbo, his nephews, and the others in their group.] Your uncle brought one of them down. What happened after that, I cannot tell you.

[heirwithouthope]

[The brief tightening of his mouth might be hard to detect beneath his beard; then it's accompanied by an indignant shift of his weight.] I do not have time for this. While they hold us here like prisoners, and demand we fight their battles for them, my people need me.

I care not for the struggles of men.

[heirwithouthope]

This is not a name I'm familiar with. [And the creature was using the term, 'world' instead of 'land,' which Thorin wasn't used to either.

But now the billion dollar question on his mind:] Then what are you?

[frombrooklyn]

[ Aww, shucks. ]

I'll try my best, ma'am. [ He tilts his head with a little smile. ]

Somewhere around the nose, maybe?

[governorkang]

Hello, Aurican.

[He has never been this close to a metallic dragon before, not even Crucible in the desert, and he pushes down his unease the best he can. He's at least able to keep his scales from clicking, but his wings are still fairly high and tense.]

[lifemelody]

So...it's best used if you want quirk bursts of energy. Alright.

[duplicitoussight]

Well, by the looks of it, it's working out great! I'm sure the children especially will be happy to see this.

[duplicitoussight]

[It was a guess and, by the looks of it, he guessed right. Kano slides his hands into his pockets.]

That's a coincidence! I happen to be looking for someone, too. Ah, are you looking for a friend, perhaps?

[masterofpuppets]

[Okay Eridan, you have his attention again, kinda.]

... Actually, I cut it off myself to give to him as a trophy that symbolizes my undying bromantic love for him. So you got one part right.

[incendiarism]

[Those worms are interesting. Judal can feel them, so much like the dungeon monsters he'd supplied the army with, and he enjoys stirring them up for a moment before he pulls his power away.]

I'm done already, so calm down! But you've done a lot to become stronger, huh...? I like that.

[With a clap of his hands, Judal moves from under his shelter towards Kariya, not at all bothered by the rain that drenches him.]

I like you, old man! What's your name?

[frombrooklyn]

Got nobody to blame but myself, really. Wasn't exactly in great shape when I got here and then I stood out in the rain too long.

[ The tissues are a tempting offer. With the way his cold's going, Steve's more than certain he'll need them before long. But -- ]

Sure you can spare 'em?

[governorkang]

A draconian. We were created from dragons, but we are not the same. My name is Kang.

[Yep, still watching that blade. Aaaand he's using his best Diplomat Voice.]