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Date: July 1st
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Courtyard after their initial briefings. Now with 200% more People-Seeking lists!
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. Now and then around you you might spot paper fluttering in the faint wind from somewhere relatively dry. It looks like a list.

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.

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Yes, at least until the rain dies down.

[Wandering over there aw yeah. There's still a lot to see, but he wants to make sure this guy will be okay before that.]

Are you a new arrival as well?

[There's a bit of a commotion not too far up ahead, at one of the neighboring stalls. A guy dressed in white with a matching umbrella is gesturing helplessly with his free hand, apparently to little avail.]

Hey, come on, please! I've been shopping here for a month already. Could you at least give a reason for refusing my business?

[There's an angry shout, and the young man stumbles backwards a pace, right in the way of oncoming foot traffic.]

Unfortunately the UAE doesn't find it much of a problem. There was heavy bombing here just about a week ago.

_{( Crystal shrugs, though her eyes darken at the mention. )}

[She stands, not making eye contact yet as she brushes a bit of mud off of her dress quickly.]

Oh, it's almost always wet no matter what here, so it's not a big deal.

[She looks up, finally, and blinks in surprise.]

Oh - Feferi! I'm so sorry, gosh, are you okay?

Mm, I think even if it is the case for everyone, that doesn't mean it should matter less to you. I mean, it's good that you're being optimistic, of course! But what I mean to say is that you don't have to pretend it's less important than it is.

[A pause and a laugh.]

I'm probably not making any sense! I'm sorry.

Edited 2013-07-08 01:49 (UTC)

Shouldn't you take the same advice, then?

[That manages to catch her off guard, and she pauses, startled.]

Well - I guess, but like I said, I'm more used to it! I was here a few months last time, and after a while being upset just goes away, so it's really not so bad for me.

Hm... I don't know. Every time I lose someone, it hurts just as much.

[Another pause, and she speaks a little quieter this time.]

I think losing someone is really different from coming here, though! I mean, with this, we can at least hope that things will be over someday and we'll be able to go home, but losing someone is permanent, so it makes sense that it would hurt every time.

I'm sorry for your losses, though, whoever they were to you.

[ Merrill considers, then nods, though she hasn't given up hope on finding Tamlen. She shakes her head and smiles at the condolences. ]

Everybody has lost someone. [ At least in Thedas. ] I'm not complaining, but I'm doing all I can to more forward! I think you're doing a better job than me, I better learn from you.

Oh, don't say that! I think if you're trying your best to keep going, then that's the best thing you can do. So, there's no such thing as someone doing better than you when you're doing the best for you!

[A smile.]

But thank you for saying so, anyways.

[Kili nods tensely, still on edge around strangers.]

Aye.

You'd rather I didn't? You're right! I shouldn't try to bother you, I just met you after all! So rude of you, Merrill...

( it's the same thing lenalee said a month ago, almost, but now he's really listening. or maybe it's just that now he understands a little better, has a little distance from watching break die on his account, and has seen shows of concern for what they are. even if he doesn't fully understand them - just like he told lenalee later, he can't simply ignore or avoid that they're there.

'i'd be happy if that thing hadn't been born.'

maybe, just maybe, not everyone thinks so.

he doesn't look at her, but he nods. )

[She waves her hands in front of her, trying to diffuse that thought as she shakes her head.]

Oh, no, that's not - I mean, of course you're allowed to say whatever you want! It wasn't rude at all. Just, remember to try not to think you're doing worse than other people! Because you're doing just fine as long as you're trying.

But you can always learn something from someone else.

Well, yeah, that's true! But learning something from them doesn't mean you're doing worse than them.

If you say so.

[Asbel sighs, making his way among the stalls, umbrella held close. It's been complicated, ever since the attacks. When he first arrived, he thought it was a good thing that so many of his friends were here, that they could work together with everyone to help the people of this world. But now...he isn't entirely sure what to think. He's seen the distrust in people's eyes, and he's felt that familiar, cold grip on his chest.]

[But despite all that, he's out here in the rain, looking for familiar faces, looking for newcomers who might need a helping hand. It's the least he can do, all things considered.]

[And so, catching a glimpse of the dark-clad figure, Asbel slows. Actually...they look like they might be lost? Maybe.]

Um, hey. Can I help you find something?

[Despite his nodding, she feels like she's not doing much; he still looks somber and won't look at her, after all, and so she frowns. What else can she say if that hadn't worked? What would Gilbert do if he were here right now? Oh—

She pauses for a moment, deliberating, before she reaches up to flick him squarely in the forehead.]

[Billy is fiddling with a small scanner in his hands, tweaking and squinting |]\]'\p-='as0h0e works. . He's more focused on working than walking, unfortunately, and that lands him in a nice position on top of some rubble as he swerves to avoid the person suddenly in his line of vision.

After a moment, he pushes himself and shakes his head]

I apologize. I must've temporarily forgotten how to watch where I was going again. Did I hit you?

( he's just as happy to move a bit away from that stall, holding his umbrella over the both of them if she's not prepared for the weather. )

That's true. But I think everyone could use a little help, when they first arrive.

( REALLY.

he jerks backwards, obviously not expecting that, and gives her the most indignant wounded look!!!!!!! )

Don't worry— I never do!

[ And savagely do beat the wings, as the creature shakes off the rest of the wrap itself. Araña's laughing when it gathers itself for a leap and springs into the air, with her still on its back. ]

Thanks!

[ She frees an arm just long enough for a wave, as it begins to climb higher, before she's immediately clutching at the reins again. ]

[And she - laughs, despite herself.]

I'm sorry, you just looked so serious!

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