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

[mistborn]

[She's immediately suspicious. As one is.]

You don't eat it? [She sets the lettuce down and turns to a piece of chicken, eying him.] Why not?

[deservinghell]

I'm not one for greens myself. [There's really no point in looking after one's dietary health when one's dead.] You might be happier if you stick with the chicken.

[mistborn]

Probably.

[She picks at it, taking small bites and watching him with a wary eye, half afraid he might take the food from her.]

Do they take lots of people and bring them here?

[deservinghell]

Not relatively speaking, no. But I'd say there are several hundred of us here at least. [She's as skittish as a mouse on an open field; it wouldn't even take his predator's eye to notice. For now, he'll be very particular about her personal space.]

[mistborn]

Oh.

[She frowns, nibbling on a little piece of chicken as she thinks, trying to organize her thoughts.]

Do you know if there are any metallurgists here?

[deservinghell]

Not that I can name offhand. But you shouldn't have a problem finding out through the grapevine. [He slides the folded tablet out of his jacket and taps the screen as he sets it down on the table in front of him.] Have you used one of these yet?

[mistborn]

[When he reaches into his jacket, she moves swiftly, drawing her feet under her and crouching on the seat of her chair. Her fingers alight on the table as a small frown tugs at her lips; her balance is off without her pewter. She doesn't relax when he places the screen on the table, but she peers at it with curiosity.]

No. They showed me. It's like a book, but with only one page. [A dismissive sniff. She begins picking at her food again, popping a grape into her mouth. Obvious pleasure lightens her suspicious expression.] It seemed useless.

[deservinghell]

[It's not an unexpected reaction, and he keeps a careful eye on her until the initial alarm's passed.]

It may be the key to your troubles. You can use this to communicate with everyone on the island.

[mistborn]

You can?

[She doesn't believe him at all.] Can you show me how? How can everyone read one book? [She makes a face. Vin hates reading when she doesn't have to.] Why would they want to?

[deservinghell]

It's easy to learn. Here. [Flattening the screen out, Henry turns the tablet around so she can see where he's pointing as he indicates the icon for the network on the homescreen.] Touch this little picture here and you'll bring up the interface. If you still have yours on you, try it. I can walk you through a call.

[mistborn]

Okay...

[Her hesitance is obvious, but she takes out her tablet and follows his instruction carefully, and with surprisingly quick understanding. Adaptability and a quick mind were necessary to grow up in Luthadel's slums, and she hasn't lost either though she stumbles a bit with the notion of text. Her alphabet has no difference in case and no punctuation. Still, they get through a video post rather handily. She sits back, looking a little pale.]

That's... [She hesitates, searching for the right word.] What if I make a mistake? Or don't record things right? Everyone can see?

[deservinghell]

[It's charming, really. Helping this girl has certainly improved his mood since entering the Hall.]

Yes. But if you'd like, you can restrict the communication to audio from your end. You might find that easier until you get the hang of it.

[mistborn]

Just audio? [She fusses with the tablet for a moment, until it starts blaring another audio track. With a quiet shriek of horror, she turns it face down and presses her hands against the speaker, looking at Henry with wild eyes.] Why is it doing that?

[deservinghell]

[Definitely not the most pleasant sound in the word. Henry clears his throat.] There's a way to control the volume. You might want to get familiar with that, but just...take it easy. You'll get the hang of it eventually.

[mistborn]

[She gives him an expression that quite clearly asks if he's completely insane.]

Yes. Thank you. I'll have to learn it in my room later. [Where no one else is around to see her FAILING at technology.]