[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

[potentite]

[Of course Dirk can't see Jake fidgeting but he is.]

I would love some space right now. [He pauses. Dirk might not understand though, so he adds.] Mostly empty is okay. Doesn't have to be 100%. Even 99% would be good.

[splinten]

Even calculating across the distribution of three rooms, a floor that was 99% empty would contain just slightly more than one tenth of a person.

[potentite]

[He can't tell if Dirk is being a nerd or trying to deflect.]

Oh! Well, golly. That's not much of a person. It's like... a severed foot.

[splinten]

Maybe a skull.

[hesitation]

So do you want to come hang with me 'cause that'd be cool.

[potentite]

Oh. You... you want me to? I mean. Of course. Yeah. Um. Should I meet you anywhere or...?

[splinten]

[oh good he agreed]

You can just come up. I'll meet you there.

[potentite]

Okay. Be up in half a sec.

[Which he is obviously not that fast since he actually has to get up there the regular way instead of flying. But oh well it still only takes a few minutes.]

[splinten]

[And so there is Dirk, kind of lurking out in the hallways. He glances up, unsure, and manages,]

If you don't want to be in the same room with me I wouldn't blame you or take it personally. There are a lot of people around, and I know how that gets for you.

[potentite]

[Fuck. How did he give him that impression? Oh right the whole fighting a lot and then absconding to another planet. Yeah. Fuck.]

Um, I don't— I'd be okay with some company.

[splinten]

Really? [Fuck. Play it cool. No, wait, don't play it cool. Use your words.

Shit.]

That would be cool with me.

[No, use your REAL words.]

I'd even go so far as to say it would be appreciated.

[potentite]

[It makes him smile a little.]

Yeah? I would... be downright grateful. I'm sure the cogs in your head are already grinding away about this place, so...

[Wait. Fuck.]

Not cogs! Brain cells. Very organic, straight from the biological loins of mother nature. Full of flesh and blood and such gooey things.

[splinten]

[Oh my god Jake.]

Cogs is probably better than talking about any mother's loins. [It's kind of funny, honestly. Dirk reaches out like he'd grab Jake's hand and pull him along, the way he used to sometimes on their planets. Then he stops himself and offers his hand to Jake instead.] We'll grab a room and stay there for now.]

[potentite]

[Oh. Jake flusters a bit as he gives him his hand.]

Okay. Um... thanks for inviting me along.

[splinten]

I think I need to work on my invitation skills. Stuttering awkwardly around the thing isn't the most effective of communication strategies.

[He picks the room on the far side from the stairs, and ducks in. PHEW. NO PEOPLE. Safety.]

[potentite]

[Jake sits down on a couch to relax a little.] That's okay, Dirk. I think that might just be part of who you are?

[splinten]

You're saying 'socially incompetent' is one of my immutable character traits.

[potentite]

[He smiles.] Not incompetent! Just awkward.

[splinten]

Right. So different.

[He hesitates, debating 'across' and 'beside,' but eventually decides on sitting next to Jake.]

Are you doing any better here?

[Just Dirk.]

[potentite]

[Dirk is beside him and it's quiet, enough that he can almost hear their breathing. There's no movement or noise or any presence. Distant sounds exist, sure, people and vehicles outside, but it's not much different than hearing things out in the jungle or the monsters that always plodded around their planets. In that way, it's peaceful. Just the right amount of things he can handle.]

Mm, just hunky-dory, Strider.

[A moment of debate before Jake sets his hand between them, too shy to reach out but hoping it means something anyway.]

Umm, what about you, though? Feathers unruffling?

[splinten]

[After a moment's hesitation, Dirk moves to put his hand beside Jake's. Not touching yet, but an attempt to mirror that gesture without invading Jake's space.]

It's okay. An apartment like this almost counts as familiar.

[potentite]

[Shy, he shifts his hand so his fingers brush against Dirk's.] So... is it cozy for you?

[splinten]

Cozy as a puppet's plump ass.

[Dirk hooks their fingers together. Then he glances at Jake, to be sure it's okay.]

[potentite]

[Flush, he threads their fingers together fully.]

I can't believe you said that while being so goshdarn adorable to me.

[splinten]

[That's really nice. Really, really nice.]

Are you calling plush puppet rump not goshdarn adorable, English?

[potentite]

Only when it's yours.