[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

ii

[rebells]

Presumably to collect sources of magical energy. Although where we're going to find those in a city that's outlawed magic is anyone's guess.

Hello, Nike. Airis.

[drizzle]

Yeah, you took the words out of my mouth. This place doesn't seem to be at all spiritual. Unless you count greed as their deity and spending as their religious practice.

[There has been no traces of magic to be felt. Everything seems to be connected to something or another. Everyone she has spoken to her have more or less explained all of the modern advances.]

Hey there, Jay. Exploring? Hey, Airis, greet your dear uncle, okay?

[The lady Palai lizard will raise its bigger hands in a small wave to acknowledge the other's presence. She was too full and comfortable to move, irritating Nike with her attitude.]

[rebells]

I'm just trying to get my bearings in this city. It's good to see you, Airis.

[He smiles at the little Palai.]

Is magic necessarily spiritual where you come from? [A pause.] I suppose it is on my world as well, although we don't usually call it 'magic.'

[drizzle]

Same! Well, we were a moment or so ago, now we're just taking a quick break from the city's liveliness.

[As for his question, Nike will remain silent, trying to find a way to explain it.]

More or less. At the very least, my powers are connected to my world and its environment. I can hear and feel her, and everything she gave life to. Without that connection my family and I wouldn't be able to unlock our powers. Usually we consider them to be sacred, but other people refer to it as "magic" because it's easier for them to understand. [With a growing smile.] How about you? What do you refer to your original powers?

[rebells]

I see . . . you're deeply connected to the spirit of the world you come from, then.

In my world, the sea is a deity known as Nerifes. Our powers are called 'eres', and they come from that deity. [His mouth twists, wry.] That's an oversimplification, but how I got my powers in particular is a long story.

[drizzle]

That's right. We've all been able to hear and sense her ever since we were born. And as you may have noticed, our connection to her remains until the day we die. It's the only reason my country has been able to survive without the aid of other kingdoms.

[To her, living in world without the connection feels exactly like someone being able to suddenly perceive voices in their mind. How she has been coping in the island without losing her mind? Mainly by concentrating on her duties and raising Airis.

Nevertheless, Nike will listen to Jay's explanation over his own world, her gaze was very eager to know all about it.]

Did you have to train for your powers or were you born with it?

[rebells]

You're either born with the ability or you're not, but you do have to train in order to use it effectively. Eres are mostly used for fighting, although presumably there are other applications.

It's a little odd, being without my powers. I'm used to them. I imagine the effect is more pronounced for you, being apart from the world you're connected to.

[drizzle]

What happens to those who don't have the talent for it? What are the other applications?

[Nodding her head in understanding.]

Yeah, it is. You must feel naked without your original abilities, huh? For me, it feels like a piece of myself is missing and the silence is unbearable. I can't stand it. It's unnatural. I always find myself humming out loud to keep me distracted.

[Airis will slide on over to Nike's lap, using it as a pillow to rest on. Nike will use her cape as a cover to keep her warm and comfortable from the light.]

Or use the opportunity to look after her too. She helps me from feeling too lonely too.

[rebells]

They simply go on without it. Most people don't have or particularly need eres. As for other applications--that's something of a complicated story.

[He's looking at her thoughtfully as she talks about how she feels without her abilities.]

You handle it very well, then. I'm impressed. You seem to be an apt parent, too.

[drizzle]

Is it?

[She can't help feel curious over the overly complicated applications it can be used for. Could he be talking about being able to use it for spying? He did mention having the ability to before.]

...I have to. I'm the best singer back back in my country and world. I need to do all I can to be a good representation of a rain summoner. Since I'm the only one here... [His compliment of being an apt parent won't go unnoticed because a big smile will appear.] Thanks. I wouldn't say I'm the best, but I've gotten the hang of it. For the most part. I'm just copying my grandmother's style. She's raised her own children and all of the children from the royal family too.

[rebells]

[Her smile gets an answering smile from him.]

Whatever you did, I think it's worked. Airis seems to have grown up well.

As for the story . . . it requires me to explain a little bit about the history of my world.

[drizzle]

I hope so. I don't know much about caring for kids. Especially lizard ones. So, I really hope she turns out to be a valuable member of any society.

[Just in case anything were to happen to her or they somehow ended up separated, she wants Airis to learn to adapt and survive in any environment. It was her main concern than anything else.]

Do you want to talk about it? I'll understand if you don't want to.