[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

[deem]

If I thought I knew the answer, I don't think I'd need to ask.

[But 9S knows Jude to be someone preoccupied with the notion of being selfish. He's heard it time and again, and he thinks it's impossible. If anything, as he has said before, he believes Jude could stand to expect more for himself.

It's not the sort of thing he can force, especially not in an area like this where he isn't sure of his own footing. He only hopes that Jude doesn't hold back on his account]

[talim]

You're right. You wouldn't.

[ jude is quiet for a brief moment, pondering. ]

I think you overestimate just how much I know about what it means to be in a relationship, but if I had to pinpoint one thing I wanted... all I know is that I'm happy when you kiss me.

[deem]

[Jude's always going to seem more knowledgeable in this department to him, but then, 9S has very little experience with close relationships of any sort.

He's had very few, none of which were quite the same thing]

...I can do that.

[Yeah, he can do that. His cheeks always grow far too warm, far too fast for the thought. Even so, he lifts a hand to Jude's face, gloved fingers grazing along his jaw-line as he leans closer.

It's still not an intuitive thing, and 9S is sure it shows. He pauses before he gently presses his lips against Jude's, but it counts, doesn't it?]

[talim]

[ of course it counts.

jude watches 9s through half-lidded eyes hidden underneath his lashes, waiting, until 9s' lips carefully cover his own and his eyes flutter closed. it's a soft, gentle kiss, but jude knows the intent behind it, the purpose, the desire to make jude happy. it comes across so clearly, in the delicate way 9s touches him.

jude's hands rise up to cup both 9s' cheeks as he kisses him back, reluctant to be the one to pull away. he's not sure he's ever had a chance quite like this, and he's burning up, but the warmth settling in his chest is all too pleasant. ]

[deem]

[It's the first time Jude has held his face this way, at a time like this. He's done it before, but never when they were kissing, and for some reason that fact stands prominent in 9S' thought routines.

Maybe it's the simple fact that it's different in a way he can't wholly define.

Whatever the case may be, he's suffused with a curious warmth, and he finds himself reluctant to move. But these things are supposed to be brief, aren't they? He debates with himself for several moments before he breaks their kiss, though he doesn't move far, resting his forehead against Jude's]

...Was that okay?

[It seems like it was but just in case]

[talim]

[ jude breathes out an elated laugh, brushing his thumbs against 9s' cheeks and keeping his face in his light hold. ]

That was perfect.

[ just to punctuate it, to reassure him — no other, ulterior motives, none at all — jude kisses him again, absently noting how warm 9s' cheeks are and wondering if he feels that same warmth jude does. hoping.

when jude thinks about where they were some time ago, having no idea what to do with either of their feelings... being here seems like a miracle. ]

[deem]

[It's reassuring, that he hasn't gotten it wrong. Although it isn't the first time, 9S couldn't say he has confidence in this area, so it's still nice to hear.

And he might say as much, except that Jude's lips meet his again. He almost wants to laugh, half relieved and half flustered, but Jude did just say that he wanted more of this.

Knowing that, the only proper response is returning that kiss, and so that's what he does with a quiet hum.

...Look he was getting commentary in one way or another]

[talim]

[ 9s has already given jude more than he ever could have asked for. everything 9s has done for him before this, and everything he knows 9s will continue to do after, from the handmade pendant jude still wears around his neck to this right here — seeking out a place especially for jude and kissing him like, during this one moment, he's the only thing that matters.

9s didn't just accept his feelings, but he took a shot in the blinding darkness and gave this a chance. gave him a chance. jude never expected his feelings for 9s to get him anywhere, and he's never once been happier to have been wrong.

there's the light pressure of 9s pressing back, and both jude's hands smooth over his cheeks before he cradles the back of his head with one, letting silky strands of hair slip through the cracks between his fingers. jude is distinctly aware of how fast his heart is beating, an unsteady rhythm loud in ears that are flushed rose pink.

without breaking the kiss jude slowly removes the goggles covering 9s' eyes, allowing them to fall to the ground and land in the pillow of grass beneath their legs. ]

Your face is so warm.

[ a breathless observation that comes with an airy giggle. ]

[deem]

[Despite how often Jude wants them removed, 9S is barely cognizant of his goggles. He's more accustomed to wearing them than being without them, and in some regards he feels bare without them. There's too much that can be easily betrayed by one's eyes.

Not to mention, right now his cheeks are redder than they have any right to be, so far as he's concerned. Doubtless it explains why they're as warm as they are]

Yours is too, you know.

[It's less a statement and more of a mumble as 9S looks down at his discarded goggles, dark lashes veiling pale blue eyes. Embarrassed? Just a little]

[talim]

[ jude lowers his head at an angle to get a better look at him, his smile never faltering. ]

Are you embarrassed?

[ jude drags his hand down to 9s' jaw to gently tilt his head up to meet his eyes. no point in taking them off if 9s is just going to hide his face. they're still so close. ]

[deem]

[9S frowns, more at himself than at Jude. It's difficult still yet, having so little control over how he feels and how he reacts. As a YoRHa android, is still troubles him even though as 2B said, their emotions aren't prohibited here.

He's sure he'll grapple with that aspect of his programming in the future, but for now—]

N-no.

[Ah, yes, very convincing]

I'm just not used to it.

[talim]

But...

[ jude clearly hesitates, a sudden case of nerves getting to him. ]

... do you like it, too?

[deem]

[Now he can admit, at least to himself, he is embarrassed. What a question. It's surprising how much such simple things can have an impact like that.

But more pressing that his own flustered state is the notion that he might give Jude wrong impression.

He cups Jude's face between his gloved hands, because this is important]

I like you, so... why wouldn't I?

[talim]

[ oh.

jude swallows the lump in his throat, eyes widening ever so slightly. he didn't expect 9s to give him such a serious answer, to make sure to erase any and all doubts jude might have had so thoroughly. color blooms on his cheeks all over again. ]

... I'm glad, because I like you, too, Nines. I wish I could put it more elegantly, but I like you so much.

[ jude closes his eyes and turns his head so he can press a kiss to 9s' gloved palm. he wishes the barrier of leather didn't separate them, but the sentiment is the same. ]

[deem]

[9S doesn't imagine that eloquence would change very much of anything. If the message is the same, and he understands it, that's more than enough.

That the color staining his cheeks refuses to fade, and is only reinforced by the kiss to his hand, surely broadcasts as much.

He still can't quite fathom how any human, no matter how kind, can see him that way. Can feel that way about him. Not just any human, but Jude in particular.

It remains a marvel to him, and something he's quite sure he doesn't deserve]

Then...you don't need to worry, right? If it's the same?

[Let him do that]

[talim]

[ 9s deserves the world to him and then some. and jude isn't the world, but he can try to be the best he can be for 9s. it's just as much a marvel to him that 9s returns these feelings, especially when jude quite literally threw them on him so abruptly and suddenly and harshly. ]

No, you're right. I don't need to worry. I don't need to worry about anything, as long as you'll have me.

[ admiring the color on 9s' otherwise pale skin, jude kisses him just one more time. just one more. ]

Thank you.