[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]

[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.