(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

[monocle]

And look at what the cat coughed up. [What should be an appraising glance at the unparalleled beauty that is Tyki Mikk is a mere scowl at how such excellent facial structure is hidden behind stubble, unwashed hair and the like.]

But it is darling to see you. This situation is... quite unique. [Read: Cyril's not pleased, but holding off his final decision on it.] Were you alone here before me?

[phaseshifts]

[Cyril! You need to take off the gloves. Practice appreciation for the... less refined things in life. Quit being such a fuddy-duddy. Ahahaha. Tyki falls into easy step with him. First thing's first.]

Amongst the Noah... there are two Exorcists here. Allen Walker and Lenalee Lee.

[monocle]

[Hey, he's lived the thug life before. Walked on the street once, when the carriage broke a wheel. Amongst commoners!

His smile grows a wee bit sharp at the mention of Allen.] Have you been keeping tabs?

[phaseshifts]

Of course, of course. He does the same. Did they tell you about those [Hand wave] talky things?

[monocle]

Good, good. Can't have too few eyes on that little brat.

[But at Tyki's question he perks.] Oh, to a degree. Sounds overly complicated, but potentially useful, I suppose.

[phaseshifts]

You'll spy him all out and about there, making friends. The girl too. You can keep an eye like that on the both of them, but they on you too, of course.

[monocle]

Hmm. That is the best that can be done for the time being.

Tut, tut. The Earl would be, ah, approving of us looking in on the Fourteenth from time to time. [Not that Cyril's all for that plan, but little insignificant details.]

[phaseshifts]

You'll find we get set off on missions all together. [He laughs. The irony is undeniable.] You may look in on him all you like, then and otherwise.

[monocle]

With Exorcists? [Get out, that can't be a thing.]

[phaseshifts]

Really! And, well, plenty of others. But with Exorcists.

[monocle]

And if they accidentally die by unknown means along the way?

1/2

[phaseshifts]

Apparently death has a hard time sticking around these parts. [Sigh. You lucky boy, Allen.]

[phaseshifts]

Not that it wouldn't be worth a good try-!

[monocle]

Death's not a permanent affair? [What, that's no fun.]

[phaseshifts]

They're quite determined to squeeze as much soldiering out of us as they can, you know...

[monocle]

[...] You know, I'm sure there's good use to be made of that.

Death, a reoccurring thing. It's almost enchanting, when you think about it.

[phaseshifts]

Mm! They may make deep acquaintance of it, again and again. Doesn't it sound useful?

[monocle]

Absolutely. Almost a blessing, though it does take a little bite out threatening someone with an untimely death.

But! Easily made up for with a very painful, slow death. So it works out in the end. [♥]

[phaseshifts]

It makes trying to end the fight an exercise in frustration, but, well... other benefits appear. Am I right? [Or is he right?]

[monocle]

I'm eager to give testing that out a try. However, I do think laying low may benefit me for a while yet.

[Granted, that will not stop him from being your Dear Brother quite publicly.] Anything I should know about this... place? People, 'transports' or otherwise?

[phaseshifts]

[An eloquent shrug. Shows you how on the ball Tyki is, he has nothing much to say.]

Mmm. Exorcists, missions, nobody dies for keeps... it's a fun time. [Well, for him.]