(no subject)

[initiates]

Date: May 1st
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Courtyard after their initial briefings, while those Transports on the mission to Wollongong return.
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

[highhealplz]

[ Ashraf glances over -- and freezes. There's a second where he transfers the one of the two golden, cross-tipped rods into his other hand, and begins to lift and bring them together, but then he blinks.

It's a familiar face. Not one he's ever seen before, and definitely a disconcertingly dead face, but it's tugging at his memory nonetheless. ]

I'm fine. [ It's said belatedly, and he can't quite stop staring at this guy with a bewildered face. ]

[obliterating]

[For a moment, he regrets not having his blades on him, taking a step back as the other man moves, and then he stops.

Well, at least he's not getting attacked in the streets right now.

A glance down to his clothes, and he eyes the bloodstains. Was it his blood?

He manages a slight smile, trying to school his usually impassive face into something a little...friendlier.]

You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you new here?

[highhealplz]

No, I... [ He's been here before, but not in a very, very long time. That's what he would say if his brain weren't currently spinning in frantic circles. But then two words float to the surface. ]

Death Knight. [ He breaks into a smile, completely disproportionate to the earlier wariness. ] You're a Death Knight. Is that right?

[obliterating]

[It's his turn to be taken aback, and he blinks a few times, nodding. For someone to say something like that, with a smile, well...

...it certainly was different.]

I am.

[He wipes his hand on his pants leg, holding it out for a shake. He knows he is cold to the touch, but hopefully this man wouldn't mind too much. Perhaps he should invest in gloves, if he was going to keep meeting people. He was often at war with himself about that- the desire to help the living, and knowing he was distinctly apart from them and hating that look when they realize that.]

Thassarian, of Lordaeron.

[He furrowed his brows a bit.]

You don't mind the rain?

[highhealplz]

[ He's quick to take up that proffered hand for a shake. Even the cold is familiar, reminds him of -- oh, the name is so close to the edge of his mind. ]

Ashraf Salib, of Prontera. And-- no, not at all. [ This with a self-conscious grin: ] Maybe it will help along my robes.

[obliterating]

[He hadn't heard of Prontera. Another time or another place, then. Strange, that there were so many people from different places, here.

At the last, he does chuckle, coldly. At least Ashraf seemed to be in good spirits about it all.]

I think you'll be needing more than rain to help those.

[highhealplz]

I think you're right, they'll be needing at least...

[ A dunk in a lake. A lake out in the forested area of the Outlands, with a cabin by it -- his eyes widen, and suddenly the grin loses all pretense of calm or graceful. ]

--Sorry, do you know Koltira? Is he still here?

[obliterating]

Koltira?

[He laughs, nodding.]

He is, last I checked.

[And then it clicked, he gestured at him, pointing vaguely, remembering Koltira's last network message.]

You left, that's right. You'll have to tell him you're back...he was upset that you had gone. Missed you, I think. I take it you were good friends?

[Koltira didn't really consider people "friends", but Thassarian knew better.]

[highhealplz]

[ There's an apologetic shift to hear that, regretful, but not quite sad. Even if he's been gone for a good while, after all, they've both waited a while to meet again. ]

We were, yes. And you... Thassarian, now I remember it. He'd told me of you before, I think. [ okay, now he sounds a little sorry: ] My memory is a little clouded -- it's been about fifty years since I was last here, for me.

[obliterating]

[A smile, and this time, it reaches his eyes. He knew Koltira would always consider him a brother, but it was heartening to know that he might have mentioned him to someone.]

Well, I hope that what you heard wasn't all bad.

[A slight smirk, and he shakes his head a bit]

No need to apologize- fifty years is quite some time. Are you a half-elf, by chance? Or are people from your home just long lived?

[highhealplz]

It was only good, from what I can remember of it!

[ He's started glancing around, like maybe he'd spot Koltira skulking around in some corner, or something, but the question has him looking back again. ]

Oh, no, I meant -- I died, first. [ man he's used to being where everyone just knows this. ] I was reborn again, and have spent twenty years so far in my second life.

[obliterating]

[That was certainly different. He tilted his head slightly. For what he knew- most that died went on to join whatever they believed in. Shaman believed in reincarnation, if he remembered correctly.

He didn't know what awaited him. Some part of him dared to hope that it wasn't torment for the things he had done, that the Light would grant him mercy, if he atoned.]

That would explain much, then.

Were you a fighter, back in...Prontera, you called it?

[highhealplz]

No, no.

[ and in fact, he even has to laugh at the thought of him trying to fight. ]

I was a high priest. And if things remain as I remember them, there will be a need for me to be a high priest here, too.

inbox explodes with 20 tags edits

[obliterating]

A priest, I see.

[A nod, and he smiles. Much as the Light hurt him, he could appreciate it in others. It was the same as with Anduin. Life, and the Light were things he held dear, in some part of himself that wasn't clouded by blackness and the violence in his heart.]

I fear there will be much for you to do, here, then. I know of other other, gifted with the Light. Anduin Wrynn- have you met him?

I'M SORRY OK WORDS ARE HARD. talked myself out of one more edit, too.

[highhealplz]

Anduin Wrynn... [ He considers the name, then shakes his head. ] If I met him before, I don't remember it.

[ man he's gonna have to stop feeling so bad about forgetting people, he has the idea it's going to happen a lot. ]

Is he a friend of yours? [ He seems to remember that only people from Koltira's world called it the Light. It's a good name for it, though. ]

I'm just gonna start tagging back REALLY FAST *cackles*

[obliterating]

He is...the son of the king I've pledged my blade to. I consider him a friend- I was going to check on him, now. He is, unfortunately, alone.

[No one should ever be alone.]

There are other Death Knights, as well. If they ever cause you trouble, let me know.

[BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING, KNIGHTS.]

I'LL STILL WIN

[highhealplz]

[ He nods, making note of the name and rank, and -- heh. He really can't help looking a little smug here, honest. ]

I don't think they will. [ He's pretty confident in himself as a demon-and-undead-destroying-machine, after all. ] But I appreciate the offer. What other Death Knights do you mean?

oh no edit because title noooooooooooo

[obliterating]

[Wow Ashraf undead destroying? R U D E. Healbombs don't work in Warcraft. pls don't test that to make sure. it burns]

Another blood elf, and a tauren. Both women. I'm certain you'll know them when you see them. You're not the first to guess what I am. We are, unfortunately, a little distinctive.

[highhealplz]

[ yeah but how about magnus excorcismus huh??? MEANWHILE Ashraf nods, taking note of that as well.

He definitely hasn't forgotten the difficulty in keeping Koltira's bloodfrenzy subdued. It's not quite reassuring to know that now it will be four times over. ]

How has it been, Exsilium being home to four Death Knights?

[obliterating]

[pls don't turn undead me I don't know if you're stacking luck.]

We're fine for now. I fear I may have to keep them all busy, but it's a task I do willingly, if it must be done.

[A slight pause.]

Do you know, about...

[He frowns, even he dislikes admitting it. He's an honest man, but there were some parts of himself he would rather not acknowledge.]

...that we must kill?

[highhealplz]

[ Another nod, now more solemn. There's a few memories flooding in with that little fact, and they're not particualrly pleasant. ]

I do. I had assisted Koltira with that a few times.

[obliterating]

I see.

[He nods.]

Undeath is not kind to anyone, but it is a curse we must bear. I will do what I can, in hopes that they don't harm anyone unnecessarily.

We are safe, for now. We just returned from a mission.

[highhealplz]

Good. [ Good that they recently killed people? Well, yeah, let's go with that. There isn't really a good end, where Death Knights are involved, as he remembers. He considers a moment, then reaches to rest both hands at Thassarian's upper arms. Yeah, okay, he just met this dude, but how else is he going to convey all this earnesty?? ]

As a high priest, I have a wide array of protective and regenerative skills. It is difficult for anyone to deal me lasting damage, and I stand a good chance of containing any of you — even if just temporarily. I can help, if you ever need it.

[ There, offer made. You can have your arms back now, Thass. ]

[obliterating]

[He's really not used to the living touching him, and he goes eerily still, not even breathing, in surprise. Sure, he has on the coat, but...most didn't care for his kind. Even his still-living sister, Leryssa, was surprised when she had touched him, and had pulled away from him with a hiss.

Contact is something he knows, he was familiar with it, while he was alive. But now, he would rather not inflict himself on the living.

He nods, gravely.]

I'll keep that in mind, but I hope it never comes to it. I'll try to keep them busy as I can.

[Questgiver lyfe.]

Thank you, Ashraf. If it's not too much of a trouble...I'd ask that you keep us in your prayers. Light knows, we need it.

[highhealplz]

[ The smile never stays away for long. It's back again, warm, but with a touch of humor. What a silly request. ]

You already are, my friend. [ gosh why would you ever even have to ask! even creepy dead folk get prayers. ]