[WORLD TWO | INTRO LOG]

[spellbindmods]

Who: All coven members
Where: In and around the new world’s apartment building where the coven is staying
When: Day (the calendar isn’t syncing for me hELP)
Open/Closed: Open to All

You’re in a room. It’s pretty bright — blindingly so, even. There’s something very stark and very clean about the place, and also the person you’re sitting in front of. You’re sitting? You’re sitting. There’s also a pane of very powerful plexiglass separating you from the uniform-clad person who is now speaking to you. It’s impossible to transcribe what they say verbatim, but here’s the gist of it: - You’re being welcomed to a city called Shehui. Depending on who you are, the level of technology may be light years ahead of you or child’s play. - There’s a very strict policy about magic. While there are measures put in place to prevent magic from happening, this is still something that they reiterate over and over. They don’t want to take chances. - Crime is also frowned upon. Small infractions will result in credit deductions, while major crimes will get you banned. Antisocial behavior is also looked down upon. You’re locked in the city for your initial eight weeks. You can leave afterwards, but trying to break out of the city or cause social unrest will result in monitoring and a potential ban. - This city is supposed to be somewhat relaxing. Is it a free pleasure cruise? No. Is it a self-contained society that runs on community and indulgence? Yes. - You’re being given an allotment of credits in order to stay in the city, which is what the economy there runs on. This goes on for quite some time. - You’re being moved to a housing location. Despite the slotted speaker in the middle of the plexiglass, the only time you have a chance to ask questions is when a small slit opens in the bottom and a package is slid towards you. - What’s in the package? There’s a credit card-like apparatus that has apparently taken a picture of you. It contains a place to write your name, an identification number and barcode. It also has a thin strip near the top that has scrolling script floating by. It states “WELCOME TO SHEHUI. YOUR ID WILL UPDATE WITH COMMUNITY NOTICES AND PERSONAL PINGS FOR JOBS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO YOUR INTEREST.” It’s a lot to take in, but that’s the long and short of it. Have questions? The person will reiterate a few times that there are information desks around the city. That’s all for now…now you’ll be traveling to your next destination: your new home. The floor slowly lowers as if you’ve been in an elevator the whole time. It connects to several other glass containers, much like your own, all suddenly clanking together in a chain. After a short wait, the chain begins to move — quickly. Faster, maybe, than you’ve ever gone before. It’s hard to even make out the scenery when you’re zipping past everything so quickly. Where does this trip lead you? The ground floor of your new apartment building. The plexiglass cases open up and you’re in a hotel lobby. There’s a flashing board on the wall — NEW ARRIVALS, COME HERE. A ▢ So now’s the time to get settled into your new digs. Your name is on the board, and there’s a promise that your things — which, by the way, were mysteriously taken — will be located in your room. No need to fight over bedrooms; those also hold name placards that are digitally installed. Maybe everyone else is already there. Maybe you’re the first person there and need to find a way to stake your claim on the fridge or a bathroom. B ▢ Maybe you don’t want to fuck with anybody right now and are busy exploring the apartment building. You may encounter some aliens, some strangers, some ice machines. There IS that floor that’s nothing but recreational stations. If you’re overwhelmed, the garden is a good place to start. The sport court is pretty empty right now, if you want to have any regrouping meetings.

The apartment building is locked up tight for three hours in order to let new arrivals get their bearings. After that, the ground floor lobby doors open into the city of Shehui. There’s a lot to take in, but let’s cover the biggest bases: C ▢ Right outside this communal apartment building is a large, digital job board. The list of available jobs and credit opportunities are constantly flashing by. Want to pick one out? Just hold up that ID card you were given and the instructions and location will be sent to the ID’s text scroller. D ▢ You’ve got 500 credits to blow on clothes, food, strippers…whatever you’d like? Right next to the apartment complex are tons of local businesses, from bistros to outlet malls. A movie theater, an arcade, a video game store…and the best thing about Shehui? Most everything is dirt cheap. Where are you shopping? What are you buying? Enquiring minds would like to know! E ▢ Right next to the shopping area is a wooded park. It’s akin to a nature trail that’s similar to Yellowstone in scenery and topography. If you’re more comfortable someplace less…tech or modern…then this may be exactly where you’d like to be. F ▢ Wildcard! How will your character interact with this new and unusual world?

Comments

[fastpaced]

Oh, yeah. You did say something about being a combat android. [ or, more accurately, he said he wasn't, but Sonic recalls now that he still said he was a support kind of guy. Satisfied, he nods. ] Yeah, a handshake works better! Getting saluted makes me feel kinda self-conscious.

[ holding out his hand now...! ]

[deem]

Okay then.

[9S meets that waiting hand with his, but the way he's learned handshakes is a little flawed. Rather than any shaking involved, he gives Sonic's hand a gentle squeeze and lets go.

Points for trying, right?]

How's that? Better?

[fastpaced]

[ nines...

sonic blinks, seeming moderately confused by what just happened - then he cracks up, laughing good-naturedly. With 9S, not at him, of course. ]

Better! But not quite. I think you forgot the "shake" part of a handshake. Here, gimme your hand again! I'll show you.

[deem]

[The laughter clues him in pretty fast that he's done something odd here]

A literal name, huh...

[So he didn't have it quite right after all. The good news is he's got a chance to learn how it's done, so 9S holds his hand out and waits]

[fastpaced]

[ and, naturally, Sonic takes it confidently in his own oversized hand, giving him a firm grip and a friendly shake. ]

There ya go! A proper handshake. Now we're officially introduced!

[ A2 had been a little perplexed by the notion, too, now that he thinks of it. It's kind of endearing. He releases 9S's hand, smiling up at him. ]

Now, what were you saying about cats?

[deem]

[9S records this data for posterity, of course.

He lets his hand drop when Sonic lets go, glancing toward the job board]

There's some job for grooming a cat listed up there.

[And who even knows what that would entail?]

...And one for herding them. Do people herd cats?

[fastpaced]

Haha... Not well. That's a saying if you're trying to get a bunch of disorganized people to work together. Cats are pretty free-spirited.

[ a pause. He scratches his ear, seeming a little sheepish. ]

Well, that's a stereotype, but, y'know. They're not expecting you to herd real cats... probably?

[deem]

Sooo... It's probably a metaphor, huh?

[9S wonders why the objective isn't stated plainly, but maybe it's common knowledge in a place like this. Still, he frowns as he mulls it over]

That'd probably eat up a lot of time, compared to other tasks.

[Knocking out sidequests is a fine art, truly]

[fastpaced]

We are on an alien planet. Maybe they really do keep cats in herds around here... Either way, though, yeah, definitely a real time-waster.

[ he can't imagine trying to herd big and blaze anywhere... ]

You're good at fixing stuff, right? Maybe you can find some mechanic work!

[deem]

...Hey, that's a good idea. [And one that hadn't occurred to him yet] I'm so used to just getting asked to do whatever needs taking care of.

[And 2B never said no, and didn't complain. He always had that sort of thing covered, when jobs turned into chains of fetching items over and over again]

[fastpaced]

[ sonic's been there, too. sometimes... you just have to rescue someone's daughter from a rooftop or find their missing keys, even if you're the fastest thing alive and are supposed to be saving the world.

Sonic nods supportively, smiling up at him. ]

No need for that now, right? You're a free man. Do what you're good at!

[deem]

In a place like this, I bet there're plenty of things that could use maintenance.

[He's already seen plenty that could use some improvements, but as Dirk said, that could catch them trouble without authorization. If people want repairs, that'd be safe at least.

9S scans the board for a beat, but then, he finds himself curious. Nothing new for a Scanner, and he turns to regard Sonic again]

You told me what your friend does...but what's your specialty?

[fastpaced]

My specialty?

[ the question seems to have been a little unexpected. He rubs his chin. ]

Going fast, mostly. Beating a few bad guys, saving people from evil robots... No offense. [ a wry look. ] I'm just an adventurer that likes helping people, and there's lots of people that need help out there.

[deem]

Why would I be offended? Androids like me have been at war with machines for a long time.

[Somebody here has given people long, pointless debates over whether robot is an appropriate term for an android, yes he has]

But...if that's the case, what kind of work would you want to do?

[fastpaced]

[ well. that's weird, but he won't question it for now. ]

... I don't really know. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of work-work. Maybe I'll take a vacation...

[ this lazy asshole. ]

[deem]

[Well, some work is just drudgery, he can admit]

Don't you need to earn enough for housing, though?

[9S is going to assume talking blue hedgehogs need a place to sleep at night the same as everyone else. Because why wouldn't they?]

[fastpaced]

I guess so. Ugh.

[ why can't he just live his best freeloader life like he always does?! Sonic sighs, tapping his foot a few times in annoyance. ]

Maybe I can deliver mail or something... But it'll be so slow. Ugh.

[deem]

It might not be so bad. What if you worked with a partner?

[That's always worked pretty well for 9S, at least.

Even if a task was tedious, he had good company]

[fastpaced]

A partner?

[ huh... partner...

shadow comes to mind...

shadow is not going to want to work with him. ]

... Yeah, I don't have one.

[deem]

Well, if you want, I'll help you out. I'm not slow or anything.

[Besides, even if it's just gopher-stuff, 9S doesn't mind that much if he's got company.

Just so long as he's not getting sand in his boots. Seriously, it's the worst]

[fastpaced]

Huh? You mean it?

[ the prospect seems to excite him. ]

[deem]

Course I do. [He waves a hand at the job board] Busywork like this is a lot less boring with company.

[And 9S is ever a fan of companionship]

[fastpaced]

You're right about that! All right! Sounds good, partner.

[ Sonic grins up at 9S, propping his hands on his hips. ]

I'll help you herd cats or whatever you end up doing, too.

[deem]

From what you're saying, that one might just eat up time.

[And if they're getting work done and earning credits, efficiency would be best, surely.

9S scans the board thoughtfully before he points out a listing]

Parcel delivery for a local vendor... Think we could handle that?

[fastpaced]

Handle it? Buddy, you're talking to a guy who's saved the world from evil way too many times to count. Parcel delivery'll be a breeze with me!

[ ... although, again, he wishes he had his super speed!! It would be fun to see how fast he could get that stuff where it needs to be. ]