[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

[talim]

[ they're still hand in hand as they press onward, but luckily the crowd isn't quite as bad as the arcade/casino. speaking of which... ]

Did you see the slot machines back there? It looks like it's a place to gamble your credits, too.

[ jude is familiar with that, at least, although he doesn't have much interest in gambling at all. ]

[deem]

Yeah, I noticed those...but it didn't seem very fun, or even likely to win.

[He ought to know, having observed for a while. The probability of getting anything out of it except less credits appears low]

[talim]

I have to agree with you on that. Just looks like a trap to me.

[ the tower is getting closer, but they still have some distance to cross. ]

So, how do you feel about your new roommates?

[ jude almost wants to ask if he misses him. jokingly, maybe, or not. ]

[deem]

At least the games are fun, but spending currency just to spend it is a little weird.

[Says the android from a time and place where the parts from fallen enemies serve as the going unit of monetary exchange]

I haven't really spent much time in my room. You and 2B doing okay though?

[talim]

Yeah. We're good. We talked things out, back on the island.

[ his smile says that it went pretty well. ]

[deem]

That's good to hear.

[He remembers how worried Jude was about that]

[talim]

Mm. What about you two? Is she still... keeping her distance?

[ jude speaks hesitantly, like he doesn't know if he's overstepping into more personal territory. ]

[deem]

We talked, when she was ready to.

[9S' demeanor betrays no such unease, although it wasn't exactly a comfortable conversation to have. 2B wanted to know what happened to him and...well.

That wasn't something he had ever intended to tell her, the same with so much else]

[talim]

That's good. I'm glad.

[ he is. he really, really is. ]

... Look! We're here.

[ and they are. the anmung tower... towers over them, tourists surrounding it and snapping pictures. it's pretty magnificent. ]

This is easily the biggest building in the city.

[deem]

[He doesn't have the best of history with towers, and so 9S can only look up at it in silence for a time. This structure is a sight to see, certainly, but he can't help wondering...

What happened, after he ceased to function?

What happened with the ark, and the resistance androids...?]

[talim]

... Nines?

[ jude elbows him, gently. ]

Nines.

[ the tower is neat, but it isn't that neat. it must be something else. jude looks on with mild concern. ]

[deem]

...Sorry, got distracted.

[The apologetic smile's convincing enough.

His words might not be entirely accurate, but he is sorry to drift off on Jude like that]

[talim]

You sure? We can head back...

[ it is pretty convincing, but there's still a little uncertainty in jude's voice. ]

[deem]

What, did you get bored?

[Punctuated by a swing of their hands]

[talim]

N-No...

[ but jude swings their hands back, inching just a little closer to 9s. ]

Do you like it here?

[deem]

[He takes note, but he waits. How close does Jude want to be, with other people around?]

This city, you mean?

[talim]

[ not too close. just close enough to feel comfortable, secure. ]

Yeah. The city. I should have clarified.

[deem]

[9S for world's best electric safety blanket]

It's the closest to the Old World I'll ever get, so it's pretty interesting. I haven't seen as much as I plan to, though.

[So much to investigate]

[talim]

Well, you're a Scanner and all. That means you need to scout everything, right? It'll take some time, that's for sure.

[deem]

Yeah, I've got a lot of ground to cover.

[And, despite his negative associations with towers...]

Sooo... are we allowed to go up there, or just stare at it?

[talim]

I have no idea. Want to find out?

[ jude doesn't give 9s time to answer before he's pulling him toward it, tightening his grip. someone's eager to get a good view of the city. ]

[deem]

[A helpless little laugh escapes him as he follows Jude along]

Looks like we're going to either way.

[But of course he's curious]

[talim]

I don't hear you complaining.

[ jude laughs, too, and once they're in the ornate tower, up the nearest elevator they go. the silence between them as it climbs up floor by floor by floor is comfortable, and when they reach the top...

they come out inside a large, wide open room, with a huge window that lets all the light in and a wide balcony right outside. jude doesn't waste any time dragging 9s over to take advantage of the space.

he's never seen anything like it. never seen a view quite like this. ]

Whoa...

[deem]

[9S has seen the view from high rooftops and skyscrapers with gaping holes in their walls, but he's never been on a proper observation deck. And as he follows Jude all he can do is stare, because he's neither seen something like it nor in such good repair.

Wasn't there a famous tower in the Old World with something like this?]

Sure makes a good vantage point...

[talim]

It sure does.

[ and up here... shockingly, it isn't remotely swamped. there are a few people here and there, but none looking their way, instead focused on the incredible view themselves. ]

... Hey, Nines?