(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

i stared into the abyss, and it stared back.

[highhealplz]

[ A glance at the note, and he shakes his head with a smile. ]

I'm not, I promise. It's the one piece of good news we have here. [ Unless you're Ashraf, and generally enjoy being here. ] But now I'm just distracting you, aren't I? Here— 

[ He steps forward, a hand out to rest lightly against Atlas's upper arm, more suggestion that he continue in the way he was going than a request. ]

I can walk and talk at the same time. That's another promise.

oh, no, that was just a dropbear, don't stress

[bumbles]

Can you walk and read?

( Another of those cheeky grins, even if it's not entirely relieved, not entirely relaxed, because in all fairness, everything here is a bit of a mess to try and work out and take in. However, he is trying, at the very least because if the Sphinx ha taught him anything, making connections can save your neck.

He keeps scribbling as he wanders, although there's not a lot of direction to it, at first. )

Do you remember where you can buy clothes, from your first visit?

oh whew that's much better

[highhealplz]

Even better. [ He tosses the grin right back, then subsides to patience to wait for the next note — the next question, he assumes. And with a glance over, he proves himself right. ]

Well... [ He considers that one. ] Yes, eventually. It will take me a while to remember it. But does this mean you won't be wearing this ensamble for your whole stay? That's disappointing!

is it though?

[bumbles]

( Atlas laughs - still silent, not even a scoff to speak of - and shakes his head. )

Special occasions only, or it'll lose it's impact.

( Though, if they are on the topic of clothes, he will take a second to glance at Ashraf's. )

Maybe I should try something like yours.

[highhealplz]

[ He casts a glance down at his own clothing -- still torn from his run-in with a demon, but fortunately less bloody by now -- and laughs. enough for both of them, ok. ]

I think that could be arranged! Pick a fight with someone almost out of your league, for a start. It'll give you a nice, raggedy look.

[bumbles]

( Nodding, nodding away, eagerly jotting down notes on the post-its, and gesturing for Ashraf to continue with his tips, although he also passes another one over. )

Nothing's out of my league. I'm the best.

( Oh, Atlas you card. )

[highhealplz]

Really. [ The once-over he tosses Atlas's way is slow and considering. He rubs his chin thoughtfully. ]

You look a little slender. I know a knight or two that might give you some trouble.

[bumbles]

( What! He looks affronted. Affronted, sir. )

It means I can be speedier.

( Honestly. Knights. On the other hand-- ) Real knights? With swords and everything?

[highhealplz]

Well, yeah.

[ come on really, what else is a knight going to use?? well, besides a spear. whatever. ]

Swords, armor, peco peco birds... the whole picture.

[bumbles]

( That is so awesome and seriously, Atlas looks genuinely super excited. Knights! )

That is so cool! But yeah, they'd be a piece of cake. There's more to me than meets the eye. Mystery, intrigue, etc.

( Don't front, you put so much work into that mystery, young sir. )