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

[arcanepower]

[Fuck, he really doesn't do well under pressure. At any other time he could probably lie really well but in truth he's NOT fine. He's NOT okay, and also taking help from any of these strangers is NOT okay.

He stays where he is.] I do not need an ally. I can protect myself. [His eyes don't leave hers.]

Who are you?

[crymoore]

[ If he insists on denying her companionship, then she'll have no choice but to respect it. With a slow nod, she holds out the palms of her hands as though to show she's unarmed. ]

A sorceress from Azeroth. [ Jaina begins with something familiar, although it might have not been wise to do that. After all human sorceress = Alliance. ] I hail from the land of Theramore.

[ In an even calmer tone: ] Jaina Proudmoore.

[arcanepower]

Lady Jaina Proudmoore...

[He might be Horde, but-- but he doesn't really care about anything but the Kirin Tor. Still, running into her is statistically impossible. He has to respect her skills-- being a girl, and yet becoming basically the greatest sorceress alive at the moment. She was born into power yet didn't use it to get what she wanted. She had actual talent and worked hard.

Belthazar, someday, will do the same thing. And he will surpass all of them.

But right now, he just bows his head awkwardly, surprising himself.]

It's-- it's an honor to meet you.

[crymoore]

[ It always surprises her when people have heard of her; even more when they change their tone once she's introduced herself. For a moment she entertains conjuring an alias the next time she meets someone, but it would not last for long here. ]

Wish to take back the remark about an ally now? [ A playful jest and it shows in her eyes. ] Come now, this place is foreign, but you are not alone here.

[arcanepower]

[He doesn't return the smile, but instead remains frank, his voice flat.] Someone like me should be beneath your notice. I am only a magister's apprentice. [He has great talent, though, and if she noticed... if she noticed...

... maybe he could get into the Kirin Tor and leave this stupid life behind.]

[crymoore]

Please. [ Shaking her head. ] There is no need for talk of that manner here. Concepts such as the Alliance and the Horde do not exist here, nor do those ranks.

Have you a name I can call you by?

[arcanepower]

[He just... stares for a long moment. She really is something else.

OH YEAH HE HAS A NAME.]

Belthazar.

[crymoore]

Belthazar. [ She says his name warmly. ]

A pleasure to have met you here in this world. Are there any questions I could answer for you?

[arcanepower]

[He blushes, not that he'll admit to it.]

... Is there anyone else from our world?

[crymoore]

Yes, the Light has blessed us with many allies. [ More Horde than Alliance at least. ] There is another elf here I have seen, as well as a pair of Death Knights.

[ Almost breathlessly, she follows that up with: ] Thrall is here too.

[ But before she can allow him to comment on that, she asks many more questions instead. ]

Were there any strange events taking place in Azeroth prior to your arrival? Ah, also have you ever been to Dalaran? I miss the taste of the sharp cheddar found there and no other traveler has managed to bring any with them.

[ Seriously, did they all come with empty traveler bags?? ]

[arcanepower]

Another elf? [He is suspicious. High elves and night elves are all batting for the same team now.] Of what order?

[He's less interested in the absentee Warchief, even though it's thanks to him (in part) that Belth has any sort of life at all. Things would be much different if the blood elves had tried to eke it out alone. He doesn't exactly enjoy being Horde, even so.

Whoa whoa whoa. Belthazar didn't volunteer himself for questions. He just got here, lady. But he's smart and quick, and rattles off the answers as best as he can. She is one of the few people he respects. She is the quintessential mage, and his key to the Kirin Tor.]

Deathwing rose up and tried to destroy everything. Does that count? And no, I-- I have not been to Dalaran. I will train there when my apprenticeship in Quel'thalas is complete. [He averts his eyes at this last part. That was his dream-- to become an archmage. He hasn't forgotten, but having someone who reminds him so much of his sister bring that up...

She's so simple. Surprisingly so. Just asking for cheddar? Of course he's had Dalaran sharp, it's part of the delicacies imported to Silvermoon on a frequent basis.

He holds out his palm. A blue glow appears on the table as he concentrates. At last it takes the form of a wheel of cheese-- Dalaran sharp cheddar, of perfect color and texture and taste. He has talent, and he has cooking talent too.]

[crymoore]

[ Jaina waits to answer his question, patiently listening through the part of the timeline he's in. Once she's sure that he fits along with everyone else she's met so far, she gives a nod. ]

Ah, so you can make it! [ Yes, she's that excited over cheese. Let it sink in. ] Admittedly that is something I have a bit of trouble with myself, so it pleases me to see it done so easily before me.

You have great talent within you. [ JAINA IT IS JUST CHEESE. CALM YOUR MOUSY TITS. ]

Um, as for that question regarding the other elf... I am afraid I do not know. [ It doesn't occur to Jaina to ask those things. ] Surely you could speak with him yourself?

[arcanepower]

[Oh. Well, he thought she might be impressed, but she's so genuinely happy about it. His cheeks flush pink all the way to the tips of his ears and the point of his nose.]

W-well of course I do... [He tries to boast, but falls flat.] Most people are not apprenticed until twice my age.

[His lips form a line. He doesn't really want to find out, but... whatever.] I will find him.

[crymoore]

Twice your age?

[ So how old was he, she wonders. ] Well the rules here are a bit different, you see. It's not as though there are a great number of pupils to choose from, yes?

[ Not that she should make any promises, but Jaina can't help herself at times. Bribery always helps other mages, right? ]

It would be good for you to coordinate with him. If there is any trouble, you can find me easily enough. Just use that netbook they give all the newcomers to call for me.

[arcanepower]

I... [Is she trying to say what he thinks she's trying to say? He literally cannot handle that right now. It's motherfucking Jaina Proudmoore.]

... Right. I will.

[crymoore]

Then off you go for now.

[ Every meeting has to be brief here. Even if she longs to just sit down and speak with everyone she happens across, there are just too many people to do that. It pains her to turn away from someone who creates her favorite snack OF ALL TIME, but there's work to be done here. ]

We will speak again. Promise.