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]

Five years down the line. She still gave a start as the date sinks in, but she can smile, since it's a strange sort of fortune-telling. What should have killed him didn't, though it hadn't been without incredible damage. She can only guess the extent, between the mask over his eyes and the loss of pigment in his hair. There was no telling what the internal damage alone must be like.

It's not as if she'd ever subpoena or steal a glance at his medical files.

"Five years out from now." She gives a little shake of her head, disbelieving even as she's glad. Mia can't know she only has four left herself. "From my now, that is. You updated your whole look?" Green and white is pretty inverted from the red and black she was used to seeing.

[gevurah]

[ A kid is the last thing Kate expected, having not seen any yet since she turned down these corridors and found herself waiting here. She hesitates seeing those familiar colors and finds herself staring longer than she should.

Like a blast from the past. Though it's partly wrong and she wonders what this teenager was going for. Can't be any older than sixteen, she thinks. ]

Understatement. [ She cocks her head. ] Were you transported here just now, too?

[gevurah]

[ She's not too embarrassed in all honesty. Dignity's important, of course, but she's too frustrated to feel much beyond that right now. ]

... They leave that part out often?

[diplomatique]

I was told that it amplified my ability to make peace. [ that makes his face turn a little red, because it's definitely flattering, to have that sort of power. ] Simply by concentrating, a barrier should appear, and upon appearing, attacks cannot harm myself or persons inside the barrier.

[diplomatique]

"Thank you."

Larsa didn't quite consider him the Emperor, even if he knew that was his status. He knew it lead to problems when he was just Vayne's younger brother--he didn't want to alienate anyone else. Besides... saying that he was Emperor of the Archadian Empire, so bluntly, made his heart hurt for his brothers and his father. His brothers, two slain before he was old enough to walk by his third brother, the one he looked up to. The one who did almost everything to protect him and ensure his future--and the one he eventually turned his sword against in a desperate attempt to bring peace instead of cruel slaughter to Ivalice.

His father, who'd been killed by that same brother. His father who'd talked to Vayne about dying for that cause shortly before those events.

They both wore the crown with pride and honor, even if one was more corrupted than the other. They both put a lot of emphasis in their status, and Larsa did not. Their loss, their mindsets--

It both pointed towards Larsa feeling like he should brush off his crown and his royal robes to seem like just another person. That was the only way to keep others safe and not agitate other nations, and for others to not look at him like he was just a puppet to be controlled.

"May I ask a favor of you?"

[diplomatique]

[ he's lightly surprised by what seems to be concern on her face, taking a few sips of his water before he speaks. ]

Shaken, parched and ravenous, but otherwise well. And yourself?

[gevurah]

Accommodating kidnappers. [ That's new.

Before she can say any more, the information she absorbs next gets a narrow eyed look. Not at Vanadi-- the general situation. ]

Time's frozen. [ She repeats it carefully. ] What do you mean exactly and how?

[slingshots]

[ This right-at-home and totally-okay-with-everything look that she has going on here, as she stands at the table and munches an apple? Is such a front. She listened carefully to all explanations they gave her, so she's got a pretty good idea as to what's going on here, or... what they want her to think is going on, at least. It doesn't make her any more easy with any of it, though.

If this is the scheme of some new enemy of Gotham, she has to admit, it's seriously elaborate. Kudos to whoever put this one together, seriously. She'd be able to appreciate it way more at home, though. Or even just with the Boss at her side, that would help a whole lot too.

But... no Boss, just Robin. And since no one's reacting to her Robin outfit, she's going to go ahead assume these are some well-trained actors with convincing props, or she's way far out of Gotham right now.

...At least the apple is pretty good. She'd been a little worried that it might have been poisoned, but if they were gonna be that up front about wanting to kill her, then starving would just be slower. So she keeps right on munching, eying people warily from behind those big green shades. ]

[lovesgod]

[That is an outfit. That is an outfit. There are uniforms, and there is that, so obviously a uniform that Lucifer can't help but be interested. He knows that covering one's eyes are the easiest way to hide one's identity, and, well, he'd definitely be distracted by the costume. It's like this person is trying so terribly hard to disguise their identity, really - and that just makes the devil curious. He meanders over, a half-eaten chicken leg in one hand, studying the costume with a curious, mischievous kind of intent.]

What's the R stand for?

[gevurah]

[ Those bright colors-- famous colors are what draws her attention to this tiny girl. While her first reaction would be disgust at this so called Initiative dragging kids into their war, the "R" emblazoned on her chest screams uniform, not costume, as cheesy as the panties always were. But this girl is so young and well, a girl. The current Robin is dark haired and very clearly a boy. ]

... Robin?

[fintastic]

[ Feferi's seen her fair share of sour faces in the banquet hall, and this one is no different. She just can't seem to help herself, though. She contorts herself, tilting her head so she can look up at the unfamiliar human. Awww, how cute. ]

Welcome to Exsilium! You look like you're enjoying yourself.

[sunstrokes]

"Oh, no way! Go ahead and..." The words are halfway out of his mouth before he processes anything, as usual. The familiarity of that voice strikes him mid-sentence; it sinks in as he turns to see the speaker, and it's confirmed within a second of seeing her face.

No way. This was cheating, right? Tidus didn't buy into anything like karma: there was just luck, and he'd gotten the short end of the stick there. Even if he didn't get to see the results, he liked to think that he'd made a difference in Spira for the better, but in the end, he was still just a dream waiting to fade - he'd accepted that to the best of his ability in the short time frame he'd had. He'd tried to let go of any painful hopes of seeing any of his friends again afterwards, for his sake and theirs. He wouldn't think maybe I'll see her again. But here she was - she really was here. She looked just like he remembered. It was like they'd hardly been separated at all.

Genuine surprise replaces whatever distant, thoughtful expression he'd had on before this, but it quickly becomes something softer - hopeful, disbelieving, maybe uncertain, but most certainly hopeful. He doesn't move his hand away. "Yuna?"

[shalamayne]

[Varian blinks, briefly glancing to the sides before looking down at the....girl. No wait, she is very obviously a murloc.

That's the opinion until Feferi starts talking, Varian slowly raising a single eyebrow.

Dear Gods, the murlocs are evolving.]

Pray tell me, what is there to enjoy about a situation like this?

[fintastic]

[ She taps her chin in mock thought, straightening a little as she does so. ]

Well, last time, we were out in the rain. This is a lot nicer!

[payback]

"Oops." It looks like the girl Larsa bumped into is ready to launch into being equally apologetic. Rin is carrying a sheathed sword, wrapped up in a bottle-green wool overcoat that looks like it's seen newer days, and her face is pale and somewhat tired-looking, but at least her expression is mostly kind when she glances down at Larsa. Albeit somewhat surprised. How old is this kid anyway?

"No, um, I'm good. Sorry, I should've been watching better too. Are you okay?"

[shalamayne]

[This one is not only talking but clearly sentient and seems to be female....Varian's making a mental note to keep an eye on the murlocs when he gets home.

Maybe tell Jaina first so he doesn't sound like a raving lunatic.]

A lot nicer.....

[Just had to slowly repeat that.]

I don't have time to "stay" in a place like this. Tell me where the way home is.

[inanimates]

[There's a certain shock one experiences when they're hit by a car. A certain shock that's only prolonged when one is transported to another location, given things they're not sure they need and given a long-winded explanation and apology they don't entirely understand. Things become a haze, things blur together and Martin Gallagher in particular, could not keep the tears from streaming down his face while being guided to the banquet.

He doesn't seem to register it, standing in the doorway. The guide leaves him and he barely reacts, just tightens his hold on the objects gathered in his arms. Slowly, the clatter of dining and chatter reach his ears but for once he's too preoccupied to feel nervous. The sound of people–a large group, no less–that would usually send him into a fit of anxiety barely fazes him as he walks into the room, settling at one of the tables near the end. Collapsing in a chair, his items pool in his lap and spill onto the floor and his head finds a home in his hands. He drags them down his face and groans softly to himself.]

This can't be happening.

[He's muttering to himself. Great. He takes his hands away from his face and reaches for the closest pitcher, desperately hoping it's wine or whiskey or any alcohol that's not beer.] I'm going to wake up. Find myself in a coma and everything will be much better. [He frowns at the contents of the pitcher. Beer. He pours himself a cup anyway, sniffing.] Who am I kidding?

[noble_nate]

Nathaniel hadn't been keen on attending the banquet, but after days of fighting and helping with defending the Hold, he'd been persuaded to take a short break. Being a Warden, he was almost always hungry, so he piled his plate high with various foods and headed for a table in the back.

It was as he was headed there that he saw a familiar face -- or rather a familiar beard. He shakes his head; he shouldn't be at all surprised that the Initiative chose to bring him here.

"Garrett Hawke," he says in greeting, sitting down across from the man. "It's been a long time."

[slingshots]

[ She eyes her audience just the same as anyone else— apparently calm, with a tense suspicion just below. He doesn't look too dangerous, but the bad ones usually don't. She keeps escape options in mind, as well as nearby potential improvised weapons, and judges her situation to be decent in terms of both. ]

Robin. What's the chicken stand for?

[slingshots]

[ Oh. Well. Scratch that about no one recognizing Robin. Her attention is on a fellow redhead immediately, observant and curious. Threat's probably minimal from this one, but you never quite know. ]

You got it. [ She's no one Robin knows, but that's alright. All sorts of people know about Robin that Robin's never personally met. She picks herself up a little straighter, tries out a jaunty Robin grin. ] Don't figure you need any crimes solved, ma'am.

[ Aside from the kidnapping one. She's working on that already. ]

[championhawke]

"Whatever you think I did," Garrett says, immediately, except with a mouthful of food it's more like a muffled slur. He swallows, coughs, and sits up straight, trying to pass off a slightly strangled expression as aloof seriousness.

"As I was saying, I didn't bed or kill--whoever it is you're thinking of, I have a well-known lookalike who's an absolute ruffian." Garrett nods gravely, folding his arms over his chest. "Unless you're here to congratulate me. In which case, thank you! But no reward is necessary, really, your gratitude is all I need."

Or, well-- "Of course, a small donation to the war effort is never out of place. I'll spend it responsibly, I promise."

He squints at the stranger, trying to jiggle lose a memory--the mercenary company, perhaps? He had that sort of haggard look to him. "I don't owe you money, do I? Or my lookalike, I mean. He's notorious for that kind of thing."

[gevurah]

[ There's no hesitation or anything that indicates she's not Robin and just pretending otherwise. Kids have wild imaginations, but for many it comes to an end at an early age.

Kate doesn't look so certain anymore. ]

I didn't realize Batman got a new partner.

[ A young girl in that uniform... there's something incredibly off here. ]

[lovesgod]

Stands for delicious.

{He takes a bite out of it. It is delicious. Factory farming is definitely a strength of humanity.]

You should have one. I'm pretty sure it's not poisoned, and they apparently have gotten decent at cooking things in animal fat in between the whole war thing. Want some?

[He offers the half-eaten leg.]

[symmachy]

[The ticking is what keeps her attention, to be honest. She wonders if it's some kind of pacemaker--that was what humans with heart defects had, right? But no, it's something that resonates all the way through him. Part machine? She knows that her world has the technology for that, and if the fact that she had been brought here in the first place was anything to go by, it wouldn't be hard to imagine it existing here, too.

But oh, he's talking to her. Time for the show.

She smiles, lips staying closed over her teeth. It's a practiced movement, one she can't quite make look entirely natural. She's good at playing the part of the tiny, nervous teenage girl. Her voice has the slightest of accents--Irish.]

Are there many of us, then?

[symmachy]

[Even though she's mentally snapped out of her funk, she doesn't let it show on her face. But she has to interact with these people as best she can until she can find a way back to Joan. The proper response, she knows, is a wave back, and so that's exactly what she gives him. His costume is--strange, to say the least. It isn't exactly familiar, though. She's not entirely up to date on pop culture.]