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[initiates]

Date & Time: Evening, 10th February 3312
Location: Transport Room
Characters: Open To All
Summary: Everyone is brought into the transport room at roughly the same time, in a great succession and flow of imported individuals. Everyone is being lead around in small bundles, or left to their own devices together inside the Initiative Hold.
Warnings: None.

Widespread and crowded, everyone is being transported into this unusually bright room with an efficiency that is almost horrifying. One after the other, new people are appearing -- being led, shown around and then ultimately abandoned with one final phrase; "Good luck."

The Initiative Hold is wide, like a small town in its depth and industry. You've received your weapon; you've got your keys, your netbook, and one of those robed strangers has shoved a small pouch full of what you can only assume is money into your open palm. You've been given an apartment, but where on earth -- are we on earth? -- is it? Your best opportunity right now is to mingle; at least, that's what everyone else appears to be doing. Those strangers in the robes have left. They're tending to the people who are arriving, one by one and in a quick procession. Energy bustles all around you, as you're strapped up with your sudden gifts and looking around.

Hey, maybe you'll even see some familiar faces.

Comments

Open!

[clinical]

Jade tucks away his acquisitions in the item bag. He stands aside, hands in his pockets, and observes. His hands are allowed this luxury courtesy of Jade being in possession of no obvious weapon.

Another revolution on the British Isles. It's an amusing enough turn of events, even if he isn't a great fan of twice being conscripted across universes. It's also fairly disappointing to have lost all of his equipment and research. He can only hope that it was put in the right hands.

In the end, he looks less approachable than he looks unreasonably calm and self-possessed. It is no illusion. His mind is calm and clear, taking in information and processing it with the unfeeling logic of a fon machine. He'll have to progress out shortly, but there is no harm in remaining for a moment.

[raggedy]

There are quite a few people that the Doctor could talk to, but the one who looks the calmest seems like a good start, because while there may be disorientation around them here is a man who looks like he would be more distressed by a late bus than by this turn of events. At least the Doctor assumed people became distressed by late buses. He had heard stories.

"This is all very distressing, isn't it?"

The Doctor sounds less distressed and more excited and friendly, like someone breaking the ice at a party.

[clinical]

"Incredibly so." At least Jade's tone is in the pleasantly rather than sharply insincere range. Despite the circumstances, he isn't irritated. He doesn't take his hands from his pockets, and he observes: accent, clothing, body language. He wonders if a translator is functioning here. It's worth looking into. If not, the person in question has a curiously British accent. Jade's own accent, he knew, had been shaped by Lion, Will, and London itself, which he supposes will continue to make some things simpler here. His body language remains that easy, relaxed posture that can so quickly switch to combat capability. "It comforts me to know I'm not alone in my distress."

[raggedy]

"Rightly so," the Doctor smiled, leaning against a wall and inspecting his own sleeves and shirt cuffs.

"It's always better to be distressed in groups. It's like a party of some sort, but only slightly less stressful. A distress party, if you will."

[clinical]

"But in a good cause." Jade removes his hand to offer it. Introductions are in order, after all. He smiles at the man and says, "Jade Curtiss. Would you mind if I did a small experiment with you?"

[raggedy]

"That's a very bold way to greet someone."

The Doctor couldn't help but feel curious as he shook Jade's hand. This calm person who was so quick to cut right to the very disturbing point. How could he say no to that offer?

"I'm the Doctor, and I have always been a strong supporter of the quest for knowledge. As such, I find I have no choice but to say yes to your proposal."

The Doctor spread his arms out at his sides and stood up taller. "Have at me with all your sciencey experimentation. I should warn you though, I have a terribly low pain threshold, so depending on what kind of experiment you have in mind there will very likely be a large amount of undignified shouts and yelps."

[clinical]

Oh, really? Jade might have to take him up on that later. Instead, he says, "Oh, you're safe from that this time. I only wanted to ask what language you've been speaking. I'm speaking English currently, but I understand that there is quite a variety of languages across universes. I'd like to see if there is a translator at work."

[raggedy]

The Doctor flopped his arms down to his side again.

"I suppose I have been speaking English. Not nearly as cool as some languages, but it still has its charms. Shall I try speaking to you in another language to test out the linguistic waters?"

[clinical]

"Thank you." It's an experiment, so they may as well go for some consistency, even if it doesn't make the difference. "I speak Japanese, English, and the Fonic Language. Would you please say one sentence in English, and then a language I have no familiarity with?" He doesn't feel the need to ask if the Doctor knows languages other than English. The clear confidence in his offer suggests that he has more than just two languages in his repertoire, and the Fonic Language is unlikely to be a third.

Two for the price of. Two comments

[llywelin]

At least a few other non-British semi-Londoners are here for Jade. A familiar pair of bickering roommates that surely Jade would have missed dearly. Lion has placed the bow with the quiver because otherwise it is just a little impractical to walk around holding it.

That and Lion's hand is occupied with Will's.

"Oh, is it Jade?" Lion smiles and calls out upon noticing him. "I thought you would be too old for the draft."

Just like that, falling right into step with the usual greetings.

That is not a very good savings. I demand better coupons.

[alethiological]

At least Lion's distracted, because it's a lapse of attention that lets him pull his hand away. A half-hearted attempt laced with annoyance, and it's not like he's wandered off elsewhere yet. Though it's being debated.

There's a glance from Lion to Jade, then back. Mostly because of that whole thing about this being another dumping ground for Fragment wayfarers, and there's a high chance that Jade doesn't remember anything and Lion's just accosting some random troll.

Just sighing a bit, hands in his pockets, then acknowledging Jade with his usual habit of carefully-worded sentences.

"If you're too old to be dealing with energetic kids, I can fix that."

screw that I want it all. YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE

[clinical]

For Will's question, Jade's answer is in the broad grin that spreads over Jade's face at Lion's words. He steps forward (and does not deign to depocket his hands) and says, "My, my. It would seem that once again, not even universes dare to separate young lovers. My aged heart is reborn."

It is also one concern set aside. Lion, who has become to him a respected charge as Ion once was, is safe and with Will. The issue is set neatly aside as his eyes flicker to Will and his voice briefly assumes a less mocking tone as he makes a professional inquiry. "I assume we remain out of Heaven's jurisdiction."

[llywelin]

With fond exasperation, Lion sighs. Even in another fragment Jade probably can still avoid a sneaky pinch. Maybe one day the chance will come.

Though right now, Lion doesn't feel like trying. It's just nice to have these two here. "At least you're in a lively mood as usual."

[alethiological]

Jade gets the flattest of stares for the first part, tinged with annoyance at the blatant shot. But for as much of a migraine Jade is, he catches onto cues nice and quick. No need to go through the whole ritual of explaining in small syllables like with Lion, and it means Jade's snark also doubled for an answer.

Remembered, huh? Well, that's interesting. Jade can watch as his eyes narrow a bit. Information filed. Moving on - which Jade also does nicely - and his answer gets a beat of silence. Eyes closed and making another attempt just for the sake of trying. A beat.

"You assume correct. The feeling's different though."

[clinical]

"Oh no, I'm nearly passing out from distress. You'll have to carry me to the apartment I've been kindly given." They should discuss that. Jade has no intentions of staying in a residence given to him, but he'll have to seek employment first. Either way, his attention is back on Will by the end of the retort. "Can you explain how it's different?" Will tends not to bother with useless paths of inquiry, so that's the end of if they can learn nothing more from that. The rest will come after.

[llywelin]

While they discuss those matters - Lion doesn't need a headache and can get the gist fine - Jade's things undergo a thorough inspection. Yes, it is likely that Jade will move out if possible. He is an independent type and all this allowance and allotted space with no lab probably bothers him. But Lion still needs to know these things.

Handy dandy notebook comes out and Lion writes down information. Until Jade does that, this is good to know. Even after he does - because it's Jade and he'll manage it - it might be good to keep some records.

[alethiological]

Lion's movements get a glance, eyes rolling a beat after. You were just given a computer, use it - but whatever. Just like he himself avoids useless inquiry, Jade tends to avoid useless questions. Which means Lion's utterly ignored for the sake of the question. Adults are talking now, little kids can go play with notebooks for now.

A moment of silence, more going over it in his head to find the best wording, then speaking when landing on it. "Last time it was more... forced. Like we weren't welcome there and being blocked from entry. This time it's more along the lines of 'it's not our place, so we're staying out of it'. Probably a genre difference."

Since it doesn't matter in the end. Blocked is blocked, no matter how nice and mannerly it's arranged. So nothing's really changed. Looking into it any further would make it... Well. A useless inquiry.

[curepotion]

Moving swiftly, Riku chose his 'weapon' and sought to get out of the wayside, to let less experienced transports decide and mill about. He already had his sword hanging by a tie hooked to a belt loop in his jeans, and that'd be his own weapon. He'd refuse to part with it, no matter what fancy machinery they had around, and they had quite a bit. It was a little daunting.

Most people chose an actual weapon, but he walked near Jade with a tough, small circular shield that was meant to be strapped around one's forearm, though he fumbled with it. It was hard to attach a piece of machinery to a limb that didn't quite work all the way. He just leaned against the wall nearby. And, perhaps in a hypocritical way, given his innate state of ease and apathy, he spoke, "You look calm."

[clinical]

The response was reflexive. "Oh, no, I'm a wreck on the inside." He had been watching Riku, however, and while he had a few questions about the practicality of that sword, the shield was the most obvious path. He asked, "Are you not accustomed to carrying a shield?"

[curepotion]

He threw a raised brow Jade's way at his prompt response. Riku supposed it was a sarcastic answer, and didn't ask deeper into it. At least, he wouldn't for the moment. He hadn't come to the side of the room to speak to others--he'd tried to get away from that--but he supposed he ensnared himself by speaking first. "No, not usually," he answered. "Am I wearing it wrong?"

[clinical]

Not a conversationalist by habit--sarcasm and insincerity were Jade's own special ways of managing social interaction when there was no purpose behind the conversation--Jade was a soldier. While none of his travelling companions had used the shield in combat, he was more than familiar with how it should be worn. "Not precisely. If I may?" He didn't really care whether Riku interpreted it as an offer to assist with the shield on his arm or if Riku thought Jade meant to demonstrate on his own. Jade just didn't care to see battle gear worn incorrectly on anyone but enemies.

[curepotion]

And Riku's sarcasm and cheekiness was his own way to hide his faults and push others away, to keep them as far as possible. Something people could easily see, but he didn't care as long as he stuck by doing it. He straightened and pushed himself off of the wall, legs long and stance straight as someone who had been trained to fight since childhood. "I guess." Seemingly passive, he strode to Jade's side and lifted his arm.

The dead nerves in his arm made it hard to maneuver much, and thus it was hard to not only adjust the shield himself, but to realize it was badly adjusted in the first place.

[clinical]

The movements had seemed off to Jade, and it was tempting to test for a confirmation of his hypothesis. With the efficacy of practice, he adjusted the shield to set as it should--and then tightened a strap too much. It should hurt. As if he hadn't just experimented on Riku for nerve damage, Jade said, "How does it sit? It should feel secure without pinching." In contrast to the insincerity, Jade's voice has dropped to the much more direct, pragmatic tone he uses for military conversation. Even his little experiment was not for Jade's amusement but to ascertain any weaknesses Riku might have that would be compromising.

[curepotion]

Where it should've hurt, it didn't. Riku's face was concentrated on the settings and how tight he should have the straps. The tone, however, was his first guess as to the fact that something had... gone wrong, or there was something different. He narrowed his eyes for a second, and glanced down at his arm. He wouldn't be able to tell if something was different.

"It feels fine." He chose to say, simply, and now kept his eyes trained even on Jade's. He'd like to know what had changed.

[clinical]

"It shouldn't." It was the same tone, complimented with blunt honesty. Jade loosened to what he thought would be appropriate, but there really was no certainty if Riku couldn't feel it. "You'll need extra training to compensate for the nerve damage, assuming no degree of recovery. This is the best I can make it without your input."