transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date & Time: Sept 23rd, 2012.
Location: The Initiative Hold & Courtyard.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been shuffled into the Courtyard after their initial briefings.
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. "This isn't standard," she's saying, walking perhaps faster than most of the people she's dragging around. "We don't normally have so many Transports at once. 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. 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. 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

[f_u_wesker]

No, you really don't.

I can try but I've never face these kinds of odds before.

[whatsupcroc]

There's a first time for everything.

[ There's also a last time, but that's much less empowering to think about. ]

In the meantime, did you want me to point you toward the apartments? Since while we're all stuck here in each others company, we might as all be as dry and healthy as we can. Away from mutant viruses and crazy odds!

[f_u_wesker]

That would probably be a good idea, if you don't mind. Maybe grab something to eat while we're at it, I don't plan on coming back out in this weather for food.

[whatsupcroc]

I don't mind at all! There's a stall down this way that has great breadrolls and sandwich-like stuff. We can grab a few of those and snack along the way! Shopping's better when you have a day set aside for it.

[ she changes direction, pointing down the way she wants to have them head out now. ]

[f_u_wesker]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Lead on.

[At least her body allows her to keep her dignity by not growling at the mention of food. It's been a few days since she last ate.]

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette's happy to oblige, setting off in the direction she'd pointed. It's several minutes before they reach the bread sales tent, Collette chattering on about the general weather and waving to several of those stalls they pass. )

Did you happen to go for carrying marques around in person, or are you a ATM card kind of girl?

[f_u_wesker]

[It was almost like being back with Claire's envoy. Things had been more subdued there, quieter, but people had talked. They tried to socialize even though they'd already spent 6 months with each other. Trying to survive.]

I went with the card. Never liked jingling.

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette nods, stopping and waving at the man behind the table that acted as the stall counter. Behind him was the store that did the actual baking, but with such a small internal front they preferred this kind of set-up to handle any customers and compete with fellow merchants. )

Inside the Courtyard, most people can accept cards. The further out you go, the more people only want the actual marques. Something to keep in mind!

( She calls out her order to the merchant, handing over the number of coins he asks for with a smart little turn of his hand. Before long, he's handing over little cloth wrapped packages. Collette offers the larger one to Alice. )

These are best hot from the oven! Try one.

[f_u_wesker]

I'll keep that in mine.

[She looks a little surprised when she's handed one though.]

Thanks.

[She gives Collette a smile and unwraps it, taking a bite and chewing carefully since it had been awhile she she had anything that was actually filling. No offense towards Crystal's cooking back at Citadel.]

It is good.

[whatsupcroc]

( Glad to see Alice smiling, Collette gives a laugh of her own. )

Did you think I was tellinga lie? Yeah, nothing beats bread hot out of the ovens. Especially not when it's rainy and you're displaced in space and time.

( She orients down the street, indicating with one arm the direction she planned to go. )

Down this way and we'll be right close to the apartment lobby.

[f_u_wesker]

Not at all. It's just been... a long time since I've had something like this.

[That was an apt description of everything, Alice had to laugh again.]

Then we can relax and properly enjoy our food.

[whatsupcroc]

Exactly the plan.

( Before long, they've indeed arrived at the apartment complex, Collette nabbing one door handle and wheeling herself around to hold it open for Alice. )

Ladies first!