(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

[thephix]

[She startles a little, seemingly surprised by someone talking to her, even if the entire thing is a charade, including the hesitant smile that makes it way to her face once she's properly looking at Vanadi. The dog takes the opportunity to trot closer and inspect him, probably because he doesn't smell human.]

Oh, um-- [Apparently Wendy is a bit distracted by the mask. Max is just wondering if it means this person is a superhero] Thanks? Is there somewhere good I should go, or just better restaurants that way?

[She rubs at her, tugging the raincoat tighter around herself.

It's so boring to act so awkward.]

[implying]

[ The tip of his mask's nose indicates at least a glance down at the dog, but as the dog isn't the interesting thing here, it goes largely ignored. He's much more interested in stepping close enough to dip the edge of his umbrella out over her. ]

Both! I'd be happy to show you, if you like. I remember well what it was to be new here!

so glad i casually forgot a word in that last tag

[thephix]

[It seems almost automatic, the way she slips more properly under the umbrella, giving Vanadi a grateful sort of smile.]

Are you sure? I mean - you don't have to go to too much trouble, I can probably figure it out.

[She doesn't look so certain about that, but that's kind of the point.]

totally missed it, you're golden in my books

[implying]

Oh, undoubtedly. It's not a difficult search, and you seem perfectly capable on top of that.

[ The smile is perfectly charming with that, but for once, he finds himself wishing he had the rest of a warm expression to add into it. Ah, well, it's been good enough for over a year now, it will do for a little longer. ]

The aim of this all was actually to offer you company. It can be a startling and lonely transition, arriving here!

am i tho

[thephix]

Only if by 'capable' you mean I kept my wits about me long enough to get a raincoat.

[God why did she think Wendy was a good idea; she hasn't had nearly enough sleep (she never has) to want to maintain this particular facade. But she can't just drop it mid conversation, so she smiles, brushing her bangs to the side in a sort of nervous gesture.]

But, um, thanks? I'd appreciate the company, this really is a bit much.

[At least she can just model her speech patterns after Donny, save the stutter.]

[implying]

Why, then it isn't any form at all of 'much'! [ Smiling widely, he offers out the crook of am arm. ] I'm Vanadi.

[thephix]

[There's a brief moment of hesitation, like she's not sure of the gesture, before she takes his arm, clicking the fingers of her free hand to keep Maurice by her side.]

Wendy. [Vanadi isn't a name she's heard before, but considering everything that's happened today, that doesn't surprise her.] Have you been in... Exsilium, long?

[It's Britain, why does it need a new name?

She's never much liked Britain, anyway.]