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

[inanimates]

Homicide, usually.

[whatsupcroc]

...!

( Collette claps her hands together. )

You should talk to Barnaby, if that's true! Well, if you want to keep working in homicide, I can't speak on how that'll do for you and the war. We're drafted, not volunteered, to this service.

[inanimates]

[That perks him up further and he shifts in his seat to face her.]

There's homicide here? How does that work with the, uh. Well, whatever is going on.

[whatsupcroc]

There's some, though I won't make claims about right now. Or... I guess it's more there's probably some. We'd need to talk with the police and look at missing person reports and any people discovered who've met unfortunate ends.

Though right now I guess it could be a question of people caused or animal caused death.

( She pauses. )

So is your job totally morbid or is that just how I'm feeling about this conversation?

[inanimates]

No, it's uh. It's been pretty morbid recently. A lot of deaths. Lots of broken necks.

[But wait. Maybe she was... trying to lead away from that? Shit.]

Sorry. I um. I guess this isn't really the best conversation given the circumstances. I'm–[He fumbles a bit, wiping his hand on his jacket before offering it out to her.]–I'm Martin.

[whatsupcroc]

( She accepts his hand with a smile. )

Nice to meet you Martin. I'm Collette! And it's not that I mind talking about totally morbid things or anything, I just figured you might, um. Want to talk on something more comfortable.

Have you tried any of the food?

[inanimates]

[Oh, a smile! A smile's good. He returns it enthusiastically and shifts in his seat, as if unsure whether he should stand up to talk to her or not. He settles with staying seated.]

Oh! No. I um. I just got here, actually. I thought I'd take a few minutes to, you know, get used to the place.

[There's a nervous smile again before he thinks of something, glancing at the food. His voice drops to a whisper.] It's safe to eat, right?

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette takes some pity on Martin. There's no way he can really... well, this is an awful lot to absorb. )

The food's safe. I promise! I'll even taste test whatever you want. Think of me as a poison tester on wheels, if you want! Besides, some of this stuff looks delicious. What do you want me to try for you first?

( Asked with a wink. )

[inanimates]

[Her attitude puts him at ease. Sort of. He leans back, eyeing her with fake suspicion.]

Oh no. I'm not falling for that trick. You're going to have to try a lot harder to fool me.

[Untrue. Still, he reaches for a plate of chicken struggling to tear off a leg.] But uh–[Success! He beams and offers it to her.]–I hope you're not a vegetarian.

[whatsupcroc]

( She grins, then starts to laugh, shaking her head. )

No, not this girl.

( Taking what he offers, she makes a show of eying it before biting into the meat opposite the majority of the thigh. Chew, thoughtful look, chew, and swallow - Collette pauses for thirty seconds afterward. )

So far, so good. I think I can declare this chicken to be consumer safe!

( Which -- ha! -- means she's offering it right on back to Martin. Smile? )

[inanimates]

[Success! He smiles enthusiastically, excited by the idea of actually socializing with someone. Even if it is while being kidnapped. He holds the chicken out for a moment, glances at her, then takes a bite. His eyes widen.]

It's good!

[He speaks with his mouth full and then get embarrassed. Sheepishly, he smiles again.] I wasn't... really expecting it to be all that great.

[whatsupcroc]

( Watching him is turning into a fun experience all on it's own, with his expressiveness. Collette waves a hand in front of her, shaking her head with a smile at the same time. )

No, it's cool, I get you! We're in a pretty terrible sounding place, so who expects the food to be any good? Though once you're done with that, you should have me taste test those little tart-things and especially the one that looks like a berry tart.

( She grins. )

Or before leaving, at the very least. Can't forget a free desert!

[inanimates]

With all the food I don't see why anyone would leave.

[But he helps himself to a tart nonetheless. And maybe a bit more of the chicken. Piling food onto his place, he glances back at her seeming much more comfortable now that she seems to be enjoying herself.]

–Especially when outside seems to be so. Uh. Hectic? Is that the right word?

[whatsupcroc]

Hectic works! There are other words, but hectic works.

( She nibbles on one of the things that catches her eye, not terribly concerned on being full from this feast. )

Still, it's pretty safe inside the Hold area, and the apartments might not be well decorated, but the beds are plenty big enough and they're nice and roomy. Ridiculously roomy! After you're full, I'm happy to show you the way.