[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

[transcutation]

[It's not like Cagliostro had been trying to hide what she was doing - actually, standing in the middle of the lobby, it was hard to miss it. But she looked irritated nonetheless to have her failure spotted. Or maybe just irritated in general.]

Tch, so it would seem. Or rather, I can't use Alchemy at all, rather than being illegal.

[teratias]

[Waver would feel the same way about someone seeing his failure if the shoe was on the other foot.]

It could be that there's a mechanism that clamps down on any attempts, and renders the place like the island hub.

[transcutation]

Maybe... I'll have to try a few more things out.

[Which brings a thought to mind]

Sayyy... you don't mind helping a poor, cute alchemist out, right?

[teratias]

[Waver's eyebrow goes up slightly. Jeez, there's a lot of alchemists here, huh?]

If it involves using me as an experiment, I do mind. If not...then the cost is telling me about your world's alchemy.

[transcutation]

Tch.

[She was totally going to use him as an experiment]

Are you a practitioner? Or just curious hearing from the others?

[teratias]

[Waver personally resents that he has to develop a sense for avoiding being in experiments now.]

I'm the former, as a matter of fact. With evocation on the side, but I'm primarily an alchemist.

[transcutation]

Hmm, I see, I see. [She has to remind herself not to demand he be grateful] I'm surprised there's so many here, actually. Even if Qri were gathering just magic users, it's not like we're a common lot - or is that not the case where you come from?

[teratias]

Alchemy's not a major focus for most magi where I'm from, although some families have gone on to advance it considerably. [There really are a lot of alchemists here though. It could be a convention.] I guess you've met Al and seen his alchemy then?

[transcutation]

Ah, we did get a chance to talk, but it was late at night. Well, and it was back on the main island, so - no alchemy. [She grumbles] When they said we were going somewhere new I was hoping we'd have a chance here but...

[teratias]

...Yeah, I guess not. [Waver can understand, especially since he's seen Al's alchemy before. It's so distinct from his own, and frankly, much more interesting.'

But if there's actually something clamping down on magic here, removing that barrier would let you compare styles from his to yours.

[transcutation]

True. Magic wouldn't be illegal if this was a world where it magic doesn't exist. [Still, looking around...] ...though I'm pretty sure trying to remove whatever is making it this way would probably be an act of terrorism.

[teratias]

Well, there's that. And the fact that talking about it in the open is bound to get you some looks too.

[transcutation]

[A shrug and a smug ass little grin] Don't worry, no one would take what a couple cute kids say that seriously.

[teratias]

I'm not a ki-- oh. That's a pretty good point, actually.

[transcutation]

What, is yours a created body too? [Or... is he just scrawny and/or defiant of his adolescence?]

[teratias]

I'm nineteen! And-- [Did he just hear that right!?]

No way, that's created?! There's only one living person who's rumored to have achieved that back home!

[transcutation]

Basically a kid. [Close enough, in her eyes.]

Funny, there's only one alchemist genius enough to do it where I come from too: the magnificent me.

[teratias]

Give me some credit.

[No. No, focus on the important stuff.]

...Well, I know it isn't you on my world, but! [Waver's impressed!]

[transcutation]

I'd like to meet whoever did it - if the rumors are true.

[She considers herself proof enough - it should be obvious a little girl like her either really is a genius alchemist who created her own body, or a huge liar.]

Well, you probably need to do at least this much to be the Founder of Alchemy.

[She's in full bragging mode now]

[teratias]

I've never even heard a name attached to them. Just a rank.

[Waver pauses, realizing you know what? Standing and talking about this isn't as fun. And if she's serious, then:]</small Let's go and sit for this. I'll buy tea or whatever. Least I can do.

[transcutation]

[Well now, isn't he polite. She could get used to this kind of deference.]

All right, sure. I'm sure there's a cafe or something close by here. [She has to admit, standing in the lobby is kind of a nuisance - for all the people walking around her being a bother, not that she cares if she's in the way.] I'll answer whatever you want to know.

[teratias]

[It's only because he's a horrible nerd.]

Really? There's no secrets that you're going to withhold?

[Waver's pretty sure there'll be some. Either way, he starts heading towards the doors of the lobby, trusting her to follow.]

[transcutation]

[Look, nerds are her people. Well, cute girls are, but nerds are a solid second.]

It's not as if I have any real reason to keep any. Half of it won't be applicable here and the other half it would take you years to copy.

[Follow she does, like hell she's letting someone willing to stroke her ego get away]

[teratias]

That fact hasn't stopped mages from hoarding their secrets like dragons hoard gold. [He shrugs, walking through the set of doors that lead outside.]

Seriously, family secrets are what drives magecraft back home. Revealing it weakens the power, and so most people don't talk in depth about their work. It's...nice, having a change of pace.

[transcutation]

How petty. I'm amazed anyone can learn anything if they never share their research. [She shrugs[ But I suppose some people can't help but be afraid that those they teach will surpass them.

[She can't say she knows the feeling]