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

[selfloyalty]

[HER MILD ENJOYMENT OF THIS IS OBVIOUS. But all of that disappears when he mentions "the Fearsome Warden Queen".

If there was ever an opportune moment for a spit-take reaction, this would be it. But alas, Anora had no drink in hand and the only thing she can really do is have the colour drain from her face and her amusement disappear in the blink of an eye.

Her lips are drawn thinly again, blue eyes suddenly flashing.]

...what?

[its_storytime]

[ ...Wait. She was getting into it, he could tell. What happened?

He just glances about himself really quickly before shrugging and echoing her question with a much more defensive inquiry. ]

What? [ What did he say?? ]

[selfloyalty]

[Though it's not obvious, as Anora has been trained in the art of recomposing herself in the wake of something that's emotionally and mentally jarring, her mind is racing.

It's one thing to have Alistair as sole ruler...it was an outcome that she had feared but expected. But for the Warden to rule alongside him? The Couslands had been a well-liked family, of course, but Elissa was the youngest and having two Wardens on the throne would be...

How could Ferelden simply accept something like that? Did those five years of holding Cailan's hand, leading behind closed doors truly mean nothing to her people?]

Nevermind.

[She motions to him and sits back, crossing her arms. Her expression is stoic and whatever amusement she might had have from this tale is gone as her mind continues to flit through the endless possibilities of what could have happened to her. Of what could have happened to the throne.]

Continue.

[its_storytime]

[ Did it get...colder, just now?

He feels colder. ]

No, no! I was basically...done, anyway. [ Clearing his throat, very casually, he tries to decide how to continue. Or if he even should. If the audience has checked out, it may not be worth it. ]

[selfloyalty]

[Oh you can practically hear the icicles plinking, that's how cold it's gotten. Sorry Varric.

She remains seated for a few more seconds before pushing her seat back, bracing her hands against the table momentarily.]

In any case, it was at least vaguely enlightening and for that, I appreciate the tale. I shall take my leave, and I wish you the best of luck in Exsilium.

[AND SHE SIMPLY.....leaves. Maker she needs a drink.]