transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date & Time: Oct. 24th
Location: The Initiative Hold
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been led to a banquet room within the Hold.
Warnings: None.

NOTE: This takes place during this plot, though the plot log will not be posted until tomorrow. The Transports already in game have returned from their mission to find the island overrun with monsters. The log is set within the safety of the Initiative Hold, however, so while characters will be aware of what is going on outside, they can otherwise go about their business as usual if they choose.

--

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. She looks worse for wear, pale and gaunt, though is putting a great deal of effort into maintaining her energy and professionalism for the new Transports. "I am truly sorry that you came at such a bad time. That wasn't intentional, I assure you."

She leads the way through the Initiative Hold. The walls bear the occasional claw mark as a sign of the misfortune that has plagued the island, but it hardly seems deserted anymore due to the other Transports recently returning from their mission. After turning several corners, you arrive in a large room that has been transformed into a makeshift banquet hall. The food presented is perhaps not as luxurious or bountiful as one would hope, but it is certainly enough to go around, and isn't inedible by any means.

"We wanted to try and make this up to you," she explains. "It's meagre, but we did not have much time to prepare." There are a number of Transports already present, some looking over the long banquet table, others seated throughout the room at large, round tables meant to each seat eight people. The mood is grim, despite the Initiative's efforts to raise morale.

Before the Greeter turns to leave, she is reminding you that it will be perfectly safe to explore the Hold, the courtyard, the housing building, and even a several block radius around it. "Hopefully things will be back to normal soon."

Welcome to the banquet. Welcome to the Initiative Hold—and most importantly, welcome to Exsilium.

Comments

[feyted]

Normal. What was "normal," under these circumstances? Walls with what look like clawmarks not just scratching the surfaces, but deeply wounding them. Somber attitudes underneath an attempt to orient people in a way that reminds her of freshmen orientation at any university campus, with less excitement at the possibilities of what might happen, and more reassurance to go along with the certain explanation for where they were, and why they were there.

It's unsettling, how firmly these people believe.

It makes it more difficult to call them the kind of crazy they need to be to claim they're drafting people from other times and places into a war on totalitarian dictators. Wondering if she wasn't starring in some immersive reality television version of 1984, Mia surveyed the room. A buffet table, an assortment of round tables, the feeling like people were waiting for the other shoe to drop... it was like some strange sort of celebratory draft feast.

Tablet tucked up under one arm, she shuffled her duck-slippered feet toward the nearest table with something that looked like water, tugging the towel out of her hair. Who drafted a defense attorney into anything? An even better question came to mind. Who drafts a defense attorney out of the bathroom?

As Mia set her tablet down and wet the corner of her towel to start scrubbing off her facial mask, it's one of the many questions running through her mind.

[aceordisgraced]

Phoenix has seen many strangely-dressed friends and witnesses during his life. There have been clowns, there have been mediums, there have been men in suits and masks and alien costumes security outfits. His daughter is a magician! But a bathrobe is pretty new. The facial mask is also new.

"They caught you at a bad tim--- huh?!"

Oh crap he recognizes the face behind the mask they brought Mia here.

"--ack!" He coughs to hide his exclamation because wow that would be embarrassing. Keep calm keep calm.

[diplomatique]

A few simple Cure spells shouldn't have tired Larsa out as quickly as they did--he could only suppose that fatigue was a side effect of being transported out of his home into another world. He tried to shift his mind around the concept, thinking back to the Gran Kiltia's teachings, thinking on the various other religions taught to him. None of them made sense with what happened presently, monotheistic or polytheistic. If this was truly the work of technology... it was a fascinating and humbling experience. Shuffled away, he'd chosen whatever would be the strongest, and with a fuzzy feeling in his chest, Larsa moved on.

There were many other strangers of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Tiny (4'3'') and slender, Larsa weaved his way out of the crowd as silently as he could, intent on listening to the snippets of dialogue that he could fashion information out of.

His eyes caught sight of the scrape on the wall, lifting his gloved hand to the animalistic scratches.

This was worrisome. But first--he had to catch up his energy. Boosting morale was difficult to do when there was no energy to go around. Quick clacks came from the plated heels of his boots as he picked up the peace, one hand on the sword at his side while the other was curled into a small fist.

He didn't even notice where he was going--not until he'd bumped into someone else, and hastily moved backwards while his hands darted forwards to make sure the other wouldn't fall or be otherwise adversely effected by a bout of clumsiness. "Forgive me, I had not watched where my steps would take me. You're unharmed?"

[hornedomen]

Admittedly, Ico was not looking where he was going as well. Much like Larsa, he was looking at the marks left on the wall. He assessed the damage to determine how much strength was behind the deep grooves. He knew there were more beasts out there. There were more that were probably as strong as or stronger than the one that made its way to the Hold.

The sound of those clacking boots melded in with the noise made by the other Transports and Initiative. It was heard but not noticed. When Larsa bumped into him, Ico leaned his head back out of habit. Almost everyone here was taller than him so he moved in a way that would keep his horns from hitting anyone else. So it was surprising that he had to look down at Larsa.

At first, Ico smiled. He knew immediately that they were around the same age. But then his smile disappeared as he saw that the Initiative was still bringing in children. Larsa spoke strangely and it reminded him of nobility. His head tilted only slightly but his horns accentuated the movement.

“I’m fine,” Ico said. “Did you just get here?”

[notstubborn]

[ The Greeter leaves Elena with her mind racing, questions both answered and unanswered running circles through her head. Normal, she almost laughs, unable to stop herself from wonder what on earth normal actually is as she turns her head to look at the claw marks that scar the walls.

Chewing her bottom lip she pulls her phone from her pocket, it yields little in the way of helpfulness and does nothing but put a frown on her face. No reception, no way to contact Chloe, or hell even Charlie. No way to contact Nate, but that much she had comes to grips with. He was bound for the middle of the desert and her? Well she was supposed to be going back to her apartment in Yemen, not pulled into another world entirely. ]

Dammit.

[ Hey at least she's armed─honestly not sure how she's supposed to feel about that (sentient guns? Really?), but it is something, better to be armed with a gun that might start talking to her than not to be armed at all. A frustrated sigh and she returns her phone to her pocket, only to finger the tablet in her other hand.

Time to think about what to do next Elena, one step at a time. To leave or stay. ]

[totallytrustworthy]

[Monsters. Yeah, monsters. As if this shithole wasn't bad enough, now they have aggressive, mutated hellbeasts running about ready to claw them all to pieces. It's a curse-- all of it-- and it started falling apart right about the time Nate showed up. Ironic, yes. Pleasantly so, no. Not at all. Not by a long shot.

So coming back to a decent meal in a quiet space is a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant in equal parts, but she won't last long without a refuel, so there isn't really much choice but to slip in and--

Wait, is that--]

...oh hell, I can't be losing my mind again already.

[dispossessed]

[ to say maedhros is a little annoyed when he ends up in the hold is an understatement. he's pissed off. all done up in his armor and suddenly there's no way to get where he was going. which is both a good thing and a bad thing. it'd be a lie to say there wasn't some relief under the anger at the fact that he wasn't going to have to fulfill his oath quite yet.

but at the same time, he's really not all that happy about being kidnapped and drafted into a war. he's been fighting for literally an age, and the war just ended. fighting is something he would like to take a break from, to say nothing about how he feels about fighting someone else's war for them.

still, the banquet is a nice touch. it's a good way to ease people into the whole "hi, you're stuck here and we're going to butter you up," bit. even if he knows that's what it's for, maedhros can't help but filch some food and stand in a corner, watching, eating, and carefully balancing a plate on his handless right arm. ]

[a_million_blossoms]

[Byakuya has been killing monsters, and while he really doesn't like being stuck in close quarters with so many people he doesn't know, the banquet room is big enough that he can find some place to kneel with his sword. Senbonzakura is unsettled, and he needs to try and get into resonance with his zanpakutou again.

There are new people around that he can see, and many Transports rushing to the aid of the newcomers. But he doesn't. He hasn't been here for long, and his skills are better employed right now by vutting up the monsters outside than by helping out people with information he doesn't even have on a place that shouldn't even exist.

But some people's spiritual energies are really, really strange. There are many non-humans there, but he'll be damned if he can actually tell what they are. And one of those is currently not far from him, eating and taking in the scene unfolding in the banquet room.

Byakuya opens his eyes to stare at the 'man'. He's not even hiding it. He's curious. There's power here, but of a sort he's never felt before. Age, too. A lifespan that has nothing to do with that of normal humans.]

[mgann]

[Off to the side of the banquet table stands a female with short, red hair and... green skin. Despite the food next to her, she's focused on the others in the room, specifically the greeter as she leaves. Once gone, M'gann's eyes narrow a bit, though she doesn't move to follow. There's time for that later. For now, she wants to check out those brought in with her, perhaps gain some insight beyond what was told to them.

Turning to the banquet table, the martian picks up a plate and makes her way down, pretending to examine the food. Though, really, she's keeping her ears and eyes peeled for anyone or anything interesting that might be present.

As soon as her plate is laden with a few pieces of food, M'gann turns away from the buffet and looks for a table where she can sit.]

Hm...

[diplomatique]

[ he's never eaten food like this. what he's used to is banquets and fine dining and quite a bit of delicacies from all around Ivalice--and what he's gotten is, well... what's usually referred to as 'peasant' food. Larsa doesn't see this as an insult, and that's a good thing, too--he just goes about nibbling. he's too anxious to eat properly, anyway, and keeps glancing around at all the sights and sounds.

everyone seems so different. it's truly a sight to behold for the diversity he hopes to cultivate back in Archades, or maybe even past the Empire. his eyes fall on M'gann, and he gently cants his head to the side. of all people, really--she... seems the least out of place. and immediately, his fine manners remind him that he really should get up and let her have a space to sit. after all, most other places are full.

he stands with his tray in hand, making his way over to her. he's tiny--barely comes up to M'gann's elbow. ]

You may take my place, should you wish it. I've yet to find anything else available.

[ungodly]

You've got to be kidding me..

[ Heather was sick of the world normal. For the past two days (it had seemed like an eternity, really), she'd constantly been telling herself this isn't normal, this isn't normal and if I close my eyes, everything will be normal again. It never got her anywhere. In fact, she'd learned the word 'normal' was just a way to sugarcoat things. To reassure yourself that the changes you were going through weren't going to be permanent. To rationalize things that didn't make sense to you, and boy, she was tired of trying to make heads or tails of everything.

As a waiter comes to offer Heather some manner of hors d'oeuvres, she picks one up and chucks it back in his face. ]

I don't want any damn food! Take me back! I have to kill her! I was — I was so close..

[mgann]

[Except the piece of food is halted in mid air before floating over to a young woman with green skin who takes it in her hand. She appears sort of concerned at the outburst.]

I don't think there's a reason to be hostile towards him, he was only being polite.

[M'gann watches as said waiter scurries off.]

[skadoosh]

Some of the newcomers my find themselves confronted with a panda in patchy trousers enthusiastically bounding in their direction from a nearby table loaded with food. "HI!" he says to whoever stands still long enough to listen. Yep, he's a talking panda. Have fun with that. "I heard we were getting a bunch of new people here! And here you are! I'm Po! We're totally gonna save the world together! Are you hungry?"

[celestial_wizard]

O..kaay, a talking cat she's used to. A talking... fluffy ... bear? Not so much. But Po's adorable factor easily surpasses the weirded out factor, and after the initial shock, the distracted blond couldn't help but be amused by his greeting.

"Er.." Oh that's a great start, Luce. But to be fair, she wasn't thinking much about food - her head hurt from everything that she'd been told thus far, and wasn't giving herself much time to process it. Later, when she found her room, she would think about it more thoroughly.

"I'm not...really that hungry, actually." That's a lie. Lucy was more worried about her friends, and hopeful one of them might be here, than hungry. But she was sore at the same time, coming fresh out of a battle herself, and eating was a pretty good way to recover the energy she'd used up earlier. "Po, right?" The distracted, worried expression shifts to a smile.

She couldn't help but grin at the panda. He was just so... so... awesome. "I'm Lucy."

[bloodspeaker]

[Adrasteius scowls after the Greeter as though she's just told him that he's been brought here to slaughter infants and set their heads on spikes, which he honestly feels he has. He slams the staff in his hand on the ground, shouting after her.]

I will not be fuel for your war machine, do you hear me? I refuse. I REFUSE!

[when it becomes clear that the Greeter is way beyond done listening to him, he turns to the banquet, surveying the offerings with contemptuous fury.]

This lot is probably fucking drugged. No, thank you.

[Spheres of thrumming, translucent arcane energy take shape in his hands as he channels a spell; a few seconds later, a portal appears beside him. The tear in space reveals the red and gold spires of a majestic city; the image of its shining streets and vaulted archways wavers as Adrasteius tries, then subsequently fails, to step into it. Cursing, he tries another spell; this, too, has little effect. The air around his body crackles with heat.]

This is kidnapping! THIS IS TYRANNY! [he grabs a piece of bread from the table and bites into it, his enraged face somehow becoming more so as he swallows.] This is terrible food.

[He casts a final spell, and this one works--a moment's conjuring later, and he's holding a fresh and delicious strudel, its thin, crispy dough perfectly layered and baked, its filling a rich, sweet-scented purple jam of some kind. Adrasteius eats with a meticulous agitation, taking small, decisive bites as he stares at anyone unfortunate enough to walk by him.]

[ardor]

[Kallen walks by and gives him a wholly unimpressed look.

Welp.]

[dusk_and_dawn]

Balder has his blade, if not his axe, and he clutches its handle as he walks. He is grim as he scans the environment. The close presence of a fight raises his hackles, but he is not such a fool as to run out not knowing who he is fighting or what for. He will protect this place and its innocents, but it seems the danger is contained for now, or at least enough for him to explore. His movements are still obviously aggressive, irritated. He does not understand what he's doing away from the lands of the dead and his proper role there. He does not like being separated from his fellow warriors and his mission. He does not like being ordered by those not of Asgard. He was King, after all, and it would be an embarrassment to Asgard for its king to bow to anyone.

But there are no obvious courses of action as he will not threaten the lady greeter. He sincerely doubts she is responsible in any case. For now, he will simply have to wait.

He grabs a piece of food off the banquet table, roughly rips a bite off of it and stews in thought.

[falsehoods]

[Loki passes through the banquet hall on his way through the Hold, paying little attention to the gathered Transports. His mind is still with the Golden Horde, watching the battle rage through the eyes of a magpie. Something had gone wrong in the past, he is sure of that. And now there are monsters outside.

So, then, whatever the Initiative is doing, it works, at least on some level. Actions done in the past are indeed changing the present. What an interesting game....

He pauses as he reaches for the door and looks down at his black nails as a deep feeling of foreboding passes over him. Without turning, he knows that another Asgardian has come here.

Quickly, he tries to make his way out of the room before anyone sees him who might want to make his life more difficult.]

[moonlight_my_path]

Perfectly safe. That meant though that there were some areas that were not. Yue Hua tucked her bag of coins hastily into a pocket and then made to go after the Guide. She wanted to ask her more about the creatures, perhaps even ask where the block radius ceased so she could go aid those holding up that zone. There had to be someone patrolling the borders, weren't there? The technology here was far greater than anything the pandaren herself knew of course. Perhaps they had some sort of machine dealing with the creatures. Still, she was here to help as had been explained and it didn't seem right to see the woman so obviously distressed and not attempt to aid her.

Unfortunately the Guide made off before Yue Hua could question her. The pandaren heaved out a sigh, made a slight face, and then reasoned with herself that she could always simply venture outside and discover just what the monsters stalking the island were for herself.

And more importantly, there was good and she? She was absolutely starving. So don't mind the bear sidling up to you around the table, craning her head to catch sight of what may be spread out.

And definitely don't mind when she spots anything remotely like a dumpling.

[arcanepower]

[Not once in his goddamn life has Belthazar ever seen a pandaren. There's a lot of people he hasn't seen here, though. He piles some food onto his plate, but about 1/3 of it makes its way into his mouth instead. Yes, chipmunk cheeks. No, he doesn't give a fuck.

He stares. Stares. Stares some more. His expression goes from something resembling 'wtf' to 'what the FUCK?'

You've got an audience, Yue.]

[celestial_wizard]

This was unreal. But who would have thought that something like this would happen twice in her lifetime? In a year even! She'd always wanted to join Fairy Tail and have adventures - but this was way more than what she'd expected when she signed up.

Would she change any of it? No. Never ever. She loved Fairy Tail, and even though she went through some terrifying situations, she enjoyed being with her friends. Only she might not be with her friends now - it was a big place, and if what that woman had told her was accurate, a lot of people were brought here too.

So much to process - she had to think about it later. Her priority was looking for a familiar face, and being that this was a banquet - there was a high chance she would see one of her friends here. If they were here. So while she meandered through the crowd, her movements slow and stiff, bandages here and there, and around her forehead, her eyes were bright and alert. Maybe she could get something to drink at least~!

[healplz]

[ The wave of new arrivals means that Ashraf is putting in his time, searching for newcomers looking to be in need of particular help. Also, he hopes, to circumvent any potential damage caused by angry and powerful newcomers. So far he hasn't seen any of that, but it doesn't stop him from being wary.

But as he catches sight of Lucy moving past, his secondary motivation has him speaking out, turning quickly to keep her within range before she can pass. ]

Excuse me— [ He's stepping after her already, eyes on those bandages. ] Are you well?

[lordofthevalley]

He's not in a particularly good mood when he's brought into the hall, eyebrow raised at the hopefully part. In his experience those words aren't exactly the most reassuring, especially in a situation where he's not certain what is going on apart from a war is on and you're in it. He's allowed to not like this, not with a war going on back home and being torn away from his family.

But that was neither here nor there and while he may be looking rather disapprovingly at the table (and muttering something like "This is supposed to be hospitable?" to himself), he does look around, keen eyes looking for any wounded. While the sword at his side is well, a weapon, he's more worried about others first.

[f_u_wesker]

Alice was glad in a skin tight suit, gun holstered at her hip and looking completely unbothered by what's going on. She's had time to get used to being here after all. Only a month but that was long enough for Alice. She does appear battle-worn though but, luckily, uninjured.

A piece of fruit flies from the table to her hand before she stops to look at the elven lord. The style of dress reminded her, a bit, of Galadriel as did the ears. She actually stood there and stared for about a minute while she decided whether to approach him and introduce herself or not.

Finally though, he'd find her nearby with hand extended.

"Guessing you're a new Transport, huh? I'm Alice."

[commentboxtroll]

[As fascinating as a war being fought throughout an entire timeline is to a student of military tactics like Caesar, it's being painfully offset by a number of downsides. Monsters, of course, were never a good sign, assuming that was what had left the tell-tale claw marks on the walls of the hold. Kidnapping wasn't particularly high on the bright ideas list, either. Not the fault of the Greeter, he knew, so he at least waits for her to get out of earshot before airing the last, but foremost, complaint he already has lined up about Exsilium:]

You know, the last time I got dragged into a war, they asked first.

[The food was better, too. He isn't declaring that to anyone in particular, simply making an observation aloud to himself for the most part. Although, considering he can't be more than a teenager (a short one, at that), the idea that he's already been in a war might be suspect.]

I'm not even a soldier. [The mention of a training schedule makes him doubtful that he's here only as strategic support and that's another problem altogether!] What were these people thinking...

[sunlitcrown]

[Lym isn't very content to stay put and stick to the safe zones - she'd rather being doing something, because all this sitting around whenever something bad happens is getting really boring. But the news of more incoming transports is particularly interesting to her, so she'll stick around the Hold... for now. Free food is pretty sweet, and there's always the small chance that someone from home will show up.

Unfortunately, Caesar is not who she was hoping for.]

I doubt asking first would have gotten the Initiative anywhere. Unwilling soldiers are better than none, I suppose.

[formerglory]

Well, it was rushed, Cairistiona had to admit, but the amount of information was certainly appreciated. She couldn't help but feel bad for the poor woman, though she knew all too well of trying to maintain appearances when reassuring others that things would be fine.

"Please don't lose faith. Eventually, this war will be over and Azeroth will be peaceful!"

She grit her teeth, but remained calm and levelheaded during the explanation before being sent on her way and observed her surroundings from a wall, her arms folded over her chest and her expression calm. So, another war, was it? Wars and her were second nature by now, what with all the conflict in Azeroth.

Occasionally, she'll snack on some of the food - didn't want to appear disrespectful, after all - and make smalltalk if one catches her glance. But, for the most part, she was quiet. It was a lot to take in.

Wonder if this one will have any repercussions.

[shamanism]

The once-Warchief flowed through the mass of people like water. For a big green guy, he was pretty good at things like personal space and blending in... for the most part. After Jaina's unexpected arrival, he had every reason to welcome the newcomers to Exsilium in a more personal way than just using the network-- which he was still unaccustomed to, even after weeks of imprisonment. The network was unreliable at best, and he wanted to see people from his world with his own eyes. He didn't want to miss another important arrival.

He searched the crowd with purpose. When he was satisfied that his mate was not among those gathered, he took up a spot where he would be visible near one of the doors. Dressed in rough cloth and leather armor, he was barely recognizable as a fighter; however, his eyes, hair, and beard gave him away immediately as the warrior-shaman, Thrall.

He didn't have an interest in the food. It was better to leave it for those who hadn't eaten for some time. Despite just returning from a mission, he felt it was important that he watch over the newest Transports-- that he keep them safe from whatever might dare attack them here, when they were most vulnerable.

[arcanepower]

[There are many people gathered. So many, in fact, that it might be easy to overlook someone who barely hits five feet. He's a kid, no older than fourteen by the looks of it. He's got some serious bedhead, though, and his robes are a deep blue-violet, made of some kind of fantastical fabric that shimmers of enchantments in the right light. They look old, though, and well-worn besides. The most stunning things about him are his long thin ears and glowing green eyes. It's a sickly green, not something you'd want to see outside of a Halloween decoration.

He sits at a table all by himself, clutching a metal staff protectively. His expression is completely on edge. He has a full plate, untouched. His reaction to this whole thing is close to a captive, scared, starving animal with food in front of it.

It's only a matter of time before he scarfs it down. Probably.]

[ghostling]

[Ghost slides into a seat across from elf. Not an inch of skin can be seen on the woman, even her head is covered by a hood and mask. A mask that makes her look more a robot than human. And her arms are a strange sight as well. They're made up of a strange energy of green, blue, yellow and black that shifts and pulses as if it's alive on it's own.

The uniform she wears looks pristine, mostly black with blue paneling along the sides and gold accents here and there.]

Is there a reason you sit alone? [The voice that filters through the mask is almost hollow and robotic.]

[anaralah]

[ For a long moment, the Queen of the Forsaken merely stands among the crowd, scanning the passing faces with narrowed eyes from under her dark hood, fingers clenched tight around her bow, ready to loose an arrow at any offending party. The trouble is, the majority see sees around her strikes her as offending parties - humans bustling about, not even sparing a glance at the queen of the undead standing tall and foreboding in their midst. Are these people merely simple or blind?

It's still a mystery to her how she was summoned forth and the woman who explained the situation to her upon arrival was lucky enough to keep her head when she was done, but Sylvanas was left with far too many questions for her liking. When she speaks, it's near on a growl, head tilted downwards as she glares death at any who meet her gaze. ]

What fool dares provoke the wrath of the Banshee Queen? [ She grinds out more to herself, disgust coming off of her in waves as those blank faces around her don't even have the decency to eye her in fear or part a path for her as she walks. What back-island peasant village of Azeroth is this place? ]

[formerglory]

[ Well, Sylvanas, maybe the comfort of a fellow Forsaken might help quell that anger temporarily, though the appearance of a death knight may help raise that ire more. Still, Cairistiona has been mostly out of the way and against the wall when she got out of the introductory phase.

Her head will rise up when she hears the all too familiar title Sylvanas goes by before she allows herself to chuckle, it too feeling icy just by the sound. ]

Someone foolish, that's for sure. [ Well, if she's not going to attack her here, that must mean something about where her allegiances lie. ]

[priad]

[ Priad stands off from the banquet, staring at it from behind his helm with a questioning look, almost like he doesn't understand the need to feed him with anything more than a nutrient paste. He is cased in his war-plate, and looks ill at ease, even dangerous. Then again, it would be hard for a genehanced 8 foot tall Space marine, wearing his wargear and glaring at everything to seem anything else, really. ]

[implying]

[ Well, that's a sight one doesn't see every day. That armor! It looks like enough to supply a small battalion. But it doesn't put him off, nor does the fact that the guy is about 3 feet taller than him — over he heads, already smiling behind that red, beaked mask of his. ]

The food here doesn't bite back, you know.

[combats]

[ Jacquese joins the room with his imposing figure, holding a big silver mace that he's resting against his shoulder as he surveys the room with a mild frown. He's also surrounded by five glowing spheres that rotate around him that he summoned in his wariness when he found himself teleported to a strange place. The spheres inadvertently create something of a wide personal space bubble. Not to worry though, if you accidentally stand too close they'll just pass right through you and you won't feel a thing (unless you happen to be undead, a demon or just have a weakness for holy magic then that shit's probably gonna hurt.)

Jacquese is too preoccupied with his thoughts to consider dismissing them. Frankly the information given to him is overwhelming and too much to comprehend all at once, so Jacquese focuses on what is simple and familiar and more of his immediate concern and interest, which are the creatures that seem to be the cause for such a grim mood. Monsters he could deal with. Monsters were easy.

So he moves to go study the claw marks on the wall, snatching a piece of bread from the table to nibble on along the way. ]

[mgann]

[One Martian approaches the claw marks as well, offering a friendly smile from a safe distance. Respecting someone's literal bubble seemed like a good idea here.]

Are they anything familiar to you?

[ghostling]

Ghost had nearly dozed off while following the woman, not that anyone would have been able to tell with the mask that covered her face. Once the woman was gone Ghost wandered about the area she'd been shown to. Already there were a lot of people gathered. Worrisome but at this point she had other things on her mind.

No, she wasn't accustom to inter-dimensional travel so the whole situation bothered her. But she was significantly more worried about the situation she'd left at home. She prayed her team had made it to safety and feared what she might be returning to.

For the time being she traveled around the outer reaches of the room, stopping on occasion to inspect anything that caught her interest.

She was certain to be a strange sight to most. Tall, clad mostly in a black suit with blue paneling and gold accents. She wore a helmet over her head that made her appear to be some kind of robot, although most of the helmet was covered by her hood. But the strangest thing of all was her arms. They were somewhat transparent, made of a shifting and pulsing energy that appeared alive on it's own. The energy itself was akin to the night's sky, all blues and greens and yellows amid inky black. On top of it all her arms didn't move naturally.

Her appearance and the blatant display of her arms was the main reason she wasn't getting too close to anyone at the moment. She knew how unsettling her arms could be but she had no way to cover them for the time being.

[chittybang]

Asami found it hard to believe there wasn't someone in charge around here. As confusing as the entire situation was—and she had a feeling she would be spending a few hours with the information guide that night—there was a semblance of organization that was impressive for a decently sized group of people without a government.

Seeing as she wasn't quite in the mood to eat, she looked around for somebody who could talk her through a little more slowly with what she was unwittingly thrown into. A crowd like this had way too much variety for where she came from. Yellow hair, red hair, pink hair, tiny skirts, flashy jackets with numerous bells and whistles, completely foreign styles she'd never seen. They were all in one place, and it made it difficult to pinpoint who looked like they knew something.

It was probably the helmet that attracted her to Ghost, then. Her outfit and the headgear had a sort of sleekness that seemed to fit in with the theme of things around here. Or at least the netbook. She couldn't really tell.

"Hey," she greeted carefully with a double-take to her arms. "Um, sorry. My name is Asami. Are you from around here?"

[chittybang]

[ Asami hadn't said a word throughout her tour of the Initiative Hold. In her constant state of flabbergast and confusion, it wasn't as if there was one question where she could really begin. The only word that surfaced through muted lips was what.

Now, there is nothing remotely familiar about the situation besides menial things, like the functions of tables and chairs. Even those have a look to them she has never even imagined and isn't sure she likes. The names of all places are strange, the map is foreign, the food is different. She glances over the banquet offerings without an appetite and settles down at one of the round tables to address her main concern.

Apparently the netbook is meant to hold all the information, and so she makes herself comfortable with crossed knees. She sets her electrified glove down on the table beside her and gives that one familiar thing a glance before perusing the netbook on her own. The occasional glimpse up is made to make sure she isn't table-hogging. ]

[polar]

[Passing by with a plate full of enough food to potentially feed her and Naga, Korra's got her mouth full as she munches on some sort of meat dish thing. She almost passes by her friend, but one glance at the glove on the table has her backpedalling like she was running from the law again.

Mouth still occupied by food, the Avatar doesn't stop to swallow. Shock can do that to a person sometimes.]

Ashami?!

[firstroar]

[the overwhelming feeling of new is what draws him here to this crowd. because somewhere in there, perhaps, are more answers. more glimpses into a life he barely knew he had until arriving, himself.

and in searching, he can sense new and strange gifts...veiled threats and many unknowns.

slightly estranged from the thick of things, he searches and watches, eyes wide and unblinking as best they can. he almost wants to call out, but...he can't be certain of the reactions. if humans could react poorly, what of these...?]

oh heeey new roommate! o/

[chittybang]

[ White hair and red eyes—definitely not a look Asami would miss, and somehow he sticks out among others. It might also be the unblinking gaze that's sort of off-putting.

She's finally caving in to getting something to eat. The shock has calmed out and the stress on her body is beginning to translate into hunger. Asami catches a glimpse of this guy on her way to the table where she fetches something small on a plate, and then she comes across him again on her way back to the table she'd inadvertently claimed.

In no way does she feel particularly better about the new situation, but after a couple of chance meet-and-greets, she did find that they calmed her down a little bit. With the way this guy is looking around, it occurs to her that maybe that's what he needs. ]

Hey, are you doing alright?

[foolish_seal]

[Minato was only partially paying attention throughout the whole tour. He picked up on the principle of the situation easily enough, but this entire situation felt unreal, and he detached from it all. Was this the afterlife, or something? Did he die a warrior's death by beating Nyx and get whisked off to some sort of alternate-universe futuristic Valhalla to keep fighting and prevent another end of humanity?]

[...Actually, yeah, he'll go with that explanation for now. Valhalla. That's what made sense to him at the moment, and that's what'll keep him sane. Just roll with it until a better explanation comes along. Until then, he'll explore this hold. See what it's like, hopefully find others in the same situation, and figure out what to do from there.]

[whatsupcroc]

Geronimo!

[ Collette calls out as she comes around a corner, hitting just enough speeding to pull her hands up off her wheel rims and toss them in the air as momentum carries her and her wheelchair down the length of the hall. The whole atmosphere was getting too repressive and doomsday, which was an achievement considering what it'd been like a month before during the active bombings.

She's more concerned that no one she recognizes has popped up looking as confused as they should. Marco's still gone, James hasn't strolled in, no one had been awkwardly carried in, and by all that was in the name and sake of fun, she was going to not let it get her.

Hence the one teenager joy ride down the hall. ]

Woah! Watch out, wheelchair racer coming through!

[gevurah]

[ Kate can't shake the addled feeling in her head. It's been approximately fifteen minutes since she found herself in this foreign building, surrounded by people she had never seen before. Her first reaction had been to make a grab for her "captor" but upon noticing how passive they were, she reluctantly held back and listened.

But the answers were not satisfactory, not by her standards. Time travel? Being recruited into a war she's only learned about a quarter hour ago? This is above her pay grade.

She's left with little choice and needs to figure out the full situation on her own. She can't get her uniform on with too many people and again, a lack of options meant she had to trust these strangers. They promised to keep it, the mask, and her utility belt safe from prying eyes. She would hold them to their word for sure.

The gloomy and tense atmosphere is easy to pick up on. She can't even think about food at a time like this. Not a helpful distraction. Not with those ominous claw marks dug deep into the walls. Kate moves further away from the tables to take a closer look, dressed in only a tank top and the underwear she at least managed to put on after rising from bed.

She is one unhappy camper right about now. ]

[implying]

[ Ooh, a redhead. Vanadi has always appreciated redheads. So really, it's completely inevitable that he slides up next to her, leaning forward with a hand thoughtfully at his chin and seeming to examine the same claw marks. It's a little hard to tell for sure just what he's examining, what with that mask. ]

A bit eerie, isn't it? One really has to wonder what owns claws like those!

[lovesgod]

When Lucifer suddenly appears, at first he thinks it's a trick. Ha ha, cage. You really got him this time. But if it is a trick, then it's one that he's going to take a little respite in. It's cool here, and the temperature is welcome. There's space, and an lutter lack of MIchael rage, also a plus. So he puts his hands in his pockets and follows the attendant. he picks a weapon. He even savors an apple from the banquet.

The weapon has amazing balance in his hand, so he sheaths it at his side. On the contrary to most of the arrivals, the devil seems to be rather enjoying is knew situation, touching the hilt of his new sword, studying the clawmarks, even munching in the banquet distractedly. Anyone around him who can sense mojo will realize that this guy probably shouldn't be messed with - he's rocking some serious half-twisted divine power. But with that self-satisfied grin on his face, he probably wouldn't mind company.

[healplz]

[ Ashraf is mostly here to help those in need of it, as is his duty as a priest, and at first glance, this particular transport doesn't look to be in need of anything at all. He looks downright content, actually. And so he'd been about to pass him by — but he doesn't make it far before his gaze is drawn back again.

There's something about this guy... Ashraf can't place what it is, but it makes him vaguely uncomfortable. Could he be another demon, like Meg? But then, Ashraf had been completely oblivious to her nature until she'd pointed it out to him. It must not be that, then...

He's been staring for the last few seconds, but he's a little oblivious to the fact, lost in consideration as he is. ]

[modestchivalry]

[the woman leaves an utterly shocked knight in the banquet hall once her explanation was complete. sure, yeah he was trying to keep face - an understanding nod accompanied with that smile of his - but he'd be a liar if he said he wasn't hit hard by all of this.

he'd ask himself what there was to do, but that woman already explained that to him.

sigh. he'd be a pretty awful knight if he refused these people their requested help. besides, it's not like he was actually doing anything of great importance back home.

heavy eyes close & a gloved hand runs through his hair. okay... okay... breathe, Castor, breathe. try to calm that racing mind & beating heart of yours]

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Honestly, Saber doesn't want to be here. It bothers her to be inside such a safe place while there were so many others who needed her aid on the battlefield. Every knight needs a break and while Saber's body was still fit to fight non-stop, the other she wanted to fight alongside needed her here.

So what little time she has is spent away from the food (she's ate enough surprisingly) and instead is focused on checking out the new arrivals. There's no real reason as to why she approaches him, but when she does there's no time wasted on pleasantries. ]

Are you fit to fight?