[OPEN] April 2013 Introduction Log

[soul_mods]

Characters: Volunteers, Newcomers and OPEN for mingling!
Location: All Around Death City
Rating: Varies
Time: May 19th, All Day
Description: Welcome to Death City.



BREW doesn't think about kidnappings, activists or the hot, dry weather that hangs over the desert city this week. After powering up, giving energy readings on the night of the 18th that alerted Shibusen to new arrivals, they turn now to volunteers to assist in giving the newcomers the information and supplies they need.

Perhaps you're one of the ones who woke up in the Kishin Chamber on the morning of the 19th. Perhaps you live in Casualty Communal and were woken up by equipment transporting strange x-ray machines to rest in front of the building, prepared to scan the fresh meat and determine which are Meisters and which are Weapons.

Regardless, it's looking a little more like old times... let's give them a warm welcome, shall we?


[ooc: Newcomers! Simply tag in to any or all of the sections here and volunteers will pop right up to greet you ASAP! The last section is completely OPEN for newcomers, volunteers, or Guests all ready in Death City who want to come up and say hello. Have fun!]

Comments

Kishin Chamber

[soul_mods]

Those just arriving would appear out of thin air, winding up in a rather creepy chamber, where they bear witness to an unusual video. Maybe what you're hearing makes a whole lot of sense... or maybe nothing makes sense any more.

Fortunately, it appears you didn't wind up here alone.

[knowyourmeme]

It hurt just the same, didn't it? Being dismembered through the precise yet vicious swings of a sword. He remembered losing his first body this way – or was it just what he constructed while under a different helpful knife gave him. Nothing left of his old shape beyond his head, and even that was modified now. It didn't mean the pain didn't scream through. But he blamed it on the fact that his pain inhibitors have shut down well after the first swing. An overload to the system to be able to keep him from acknowledging each cut.

Enough of himself still remained to give a last chat with Raiden, with Jack. It was better to call him the latter, because he feel he finally awakened the young man's true nature. Those that hide from what they are end up being nothing more than shadows of themselves. Constantly empty, constantly allowing them to be led. He'd seen enough of it in Cambodia, in the States. All of them hiding from themselves, because they couldn't accept the truth. Nothing changed unless you rattled the cage, and Jack's cage had rattled enough to let out that which had been silent. He accepted this truth and heard his own laughter ringing in his head as he heard the click of the self-destruct activating.

Yet the end did not come.

His eyes adjusted to the darkness surrounding him. Body parts littered the ground around him, but of course, no blood. No pain. No death. He was surprised that he was even whole and could feel himself as whole if not separated. The pieces of himself shook against the floor to let him hear the sound of it; hear how it reverberated off the walls. Yes, this wasn't the cement of the outside. This was a room and there were others here in it – making it warmer from their masses huddled together.

The pieces snapped back to make his frame, connecting together to make him whole. He slowly stood afterward, flexing his fingers. Monsoon turned his arm over to check and there was not even a break to his coating. Everything was as it was before he faced Jack the Ripper. Interesting. But where was he now? He didn't believe in Heaven or Hell. He didn't believe in any afterlife, because it was all just excuses for their actions rather than accepting death without fear by simply allowing that it was time. Not that they would be rewarded for keeling over.

Ah, fear. Fear gripped so many of the people part of the room with him. It would cause them to act foolishly soon. Another flexing of his fingers then he adjusted his head to make sure it set just right on his neck. He could feel it deep inside of his body – power had been taken from him. The hum of the magnetic pull which used to be at his beck and call had quieted to nothing. The eye attachments shut themselves down temporarily as he searched to find out what else was missing. Yet each time he found what was lost, he would just comment idly, "Ah, that. Ah, this."

Nothing to panic about, because it was the way of things.

"And now a war." The attachments reactivated as he laughed in a sudden burst of amusement. Monsoon turned toward the man speaking now, and tried to also catch the faces of those listening to him. He wondered if one of those here would be like the Winds of Destruction, but he doubted it. Too many were too lost already and lacked the ability to see. But still, one never knew for sure and so he searched out through the crowd for a like-minded individual.

Yes, this was just another plane to continue the same games as his own world.

[fujigglephysics]

'I am alive...I am still alive...'

It was the only thing that ran through Fujino's mind as she struggled to get up. She hadn't quite fully understood the situation yet, but all she knew was that her proof of existence was still here. Even better was that she couldn't sense her powers anymore-- although it worried her a bit as well. There was something about new abilities being granted, so would whatever she had been granted be even more powerful then the one she had before? And the war, it seems like she'd have no choice...

"Ggh- !"

The hand clutching at her stomach gripped tighter; the familiar sharp pain seared through her body once again, and her breathing began to get heavier. Now that she was finally up, she started to stumble whilst trying her damn hardest not to bump into anyone. No time for fooling around right now. She had to exit this place- if she could ever reach it.

[spinneret_mindfang]

Torn from another world and thrust into another at the most inopportune time presented posed a threat to whomever deemed this troll a viable captive for their schemes. The very first ebbing of a thought through the vertigo and displacement were, Where is my hive and where is Dualscar? Had he been swept away with her or was this punishment for her transgression against him? Needless to say, the blare of a screen in front of her playing back a video presentation stung her eyes once she was able to open them. She noticed vaguely that she was on the floor, given the screen was not very far away, and very much so above her head.

What the man prattled on about had the sound of a foreign tongue until something clicked inside her brain to translate. Was she translating or were they speaking the language of Alternia? What does it matter. Shuffling to her feet, she stumbled quite a few times right back down into the rubble before gaining a grip on her bearings. Much to her comfort the surrounding were dark sans the stupid screen in front of her. What the hell was a Meister and Weapon and how the fuck could she become one spontaneously? And what is this incessant blubbering about having a soul? That is almost as ridiculous as magic, which she is sure isn't real.

To add on top of all this bullshit, she is told there is a war. What does this matter to her? What benefit does she gain from helping the helpless? Her mind easily tuned out whatever was left of the speech to dust off her casual dress. Fuck. She didn't have her normal clothes on which meant no weapons or glorious hat. The universe really does have something against her hats. They're always getting misplaced.

"This is all very funny and hilarious. I take it I had this coming." Judging by the look on her blackmate's face just before arriving in this weird situation; she'd say the price is right. "But can we quit the theatrics and return me to my hive? I'm a very busy woman. Things to do, people to see, stuff to steal." She spoke as if there were some type of smoke and mirrors somewhere with someone waiting to tell her this isn't real. When there came no reply, a very solemn cloud of emotion started to settle in. "This isn't a trick, is it?" She asked this more to herself than anyone in particular.

Re: Kishin Chamber

[catffeine]

His head was spinning. The video had been over for a bit, but Sanae still leaned against the wall, fingertips to his forehead as he attempted to process.

Abilities, gone. He was mortal. God, how long had it been since that label had been applicable? A thousand years? More? It was so long ago he didn't even remember.

He could hear his fellow guests moving about, speaking to each other, being greeted. But he stood still, still attempted to adjust his vibe -- up, down, it didn't matter, something. It was like trying to move a phantom limb. Thoughts of the Higher Plan and his impending punishment flickered across the back of his mind, but it was drowned out by the thrumming of one word, over and over in his brain. Mortal. Mortal. Mortal. It was like a death sentence.

Sanae needed a cigarette, a cup of coffee, and a stiff drink. It didn't matter in what order, he just needed all three, and he needed them now.

[Open]

[motherofthesun]

New arrival? No problem.

In the dimness of the Kishin Chamber there's actually a few beacons of light, one of them appearing to be closer to the ground and much more fuzzier. It sits besides a sign that reads 'Welcome to Death City. What questions may I answer?'.

The one illuminating the sign appears of canine nature. White fur, red markings, she just sits back and pants openly, glancing back and forth, looking almost pleased with herself as she waits. Something around her seems calming, helping ease the nerves of arrival. Perhaps speaking to her would be a good idea... or even petting.

Closed to Psii for plotting reasons!

[mylphofspace]

[The shock of being back to Death City after her own death isn’t likely to leave her mind any time soon, but it has retreated enough for Dolorosa to allow herself to glance around the Kishin chamber in search of any familiar faces without looking like she’s hiding from something or someone. Little by little, she straightens herself up and holds her head up high, picking up the pieces of her nearly shattered psyche and gluing them together with utmost care. Throughout her life, even after the death of her son and her own enslavement, she has never lost her dignity, and that is not going to change any time soon, no matter how vulnerable she may feel at the moment.

Is her family still here, or has fate been so cruel as to bring her back from the cold grip of death only to miss her loved ones? Dolorosa doesn’t know, but she needs to find out; when she is finally handed her communicator, she fiddles with it to look through the network for any signs of them, and her fingers move so urgently and shakily that she almost drops the communicator twice.

Are you still here, little grub?]

Re: Kishin Chamber

[nanitewerewolf]

There was the flash of an explosion and a shock wave that followed,...

And then everything was dark.

The moist, humid air of the jungle was replaced with stagnate dust and decay and an overall sour scent that filled his nostrils and turned his stomach. Biowulf shook his head and snorted, trying to clear his nostrils, to no avail.

He was alone.

There was not a familiar scent in his immediate vicinity.

Biowulf gave a canine whine as he tried to collect himself and place where he was. Inside...he was...inside somewhere. Had he lost consciousness? Had he been taken hostage by adversaries? What was going on?

The lupine EVO pressed his palms against the floor and eased himself to his feet,breathing as shallowly as he could given the overwhelming smell of rotted skin and death in the room. He was inside and alone. He started and growled, fur ruff bristling around his neck when three screens flickered to life bearing the image of what appeared to be a red headed human. The lupine snarled and spread his claws wide.

He heard words and they connected to his brain, but they didn't make sense. Nothing made sense. All he knew was that he had been taken against his will and no amount of reassurance seemed to make it through. He was surrounded by strangers in a dark room that smelled of death. It didn't bode well at all.

"I don't know what any of that means, but I do know I want to be sent back to wherever it is you stole me from."

Re: Kishin Chamber

[butterflyinfojk]

No way. There was no. way. this was happening. First he was brought ot this place, and now they were expecting him to stay here? Where there was a war? There had been enough dangers in his life already, he didn't need any more.

JK's body was shaking, and he frantically dialed the other club members' numbers again and again, but just like the last time, it didn't go through. His phone wasn't working. His phone wasn't working, and he was in an unknown place, in an unknown world. He didn't like not having any control or knowledge over a situation. He hated it.

Looking down at the phone in his hands, he noticed colours shifting. Looking past the phone, he looked at his feet. His shoes were changing, between his normal sneakers to a pair he had never seen before. He owned similar ones, but not like these. It made him all the more confused, even more scared, and he took a step backwards.

He stumbled, landing on his ass. "No way. This isn't happening. This is a dream. I'm gonna wake up, and when I do, I'll have forgotten it all. This isn't real. It's a dream. It's all a dream."

Around Death City

[soul_mods]

The first thing you'll notice is that whoever made this place had more than a passing interest in Halloween, or skulls. Whatever the case, this place is huge! How can you expect to find your way?!

Don't worry! There are people here who are happy to give you the tour.

[howfoolish]

Having woken up weaponless, Shiina was determined to tread cautiously when it came to this new challenge. So far, she'd managed to stick to the shadows, to follow other newcomers without being caught in hopes that she might pick up more information without having to make her presence known.

She was hoping she might do the same with the tour. It had always been her way, to gather information without revealing herself, but this was a new place and she wasn't yet accustomed to the lay of the land enough to blend in as she might have done elsewhere.

As such, though she wasn't actively looking to engage, she was being rather less discreet than she was hoping she could be.

[OPEN]

[sixthdeadliest]

Six was still looking a bit peaky after the disastrous mission yesterday and he'd likely have to take it easy, but it was best to see what kinds of people BREW was bringing in.

[brainius]

Ghoulia had certainly taken her time getting up and out, and that was saying something for her. Typically, she wasn't fast at all, and now? Now she was... well, somewhere strikingly familiar. Honestly, all the skulls and Halloween-esque decor all around were right up her alley. She practically fit in already, except, of course, that she didn't. This was all surprisingly, shockingly new to her. That wasn't at all her cup of tea, and it certainly showed in her confused expression.

She was likely the last of the new arrivals to step out into the streets of the city, and with her confusion and slow, near-shambling pace as she attempted to figure some semblance of a plan out... well, she really only succeeded in standing there and looking really, really lost.

She knew there weren't any friends to help her out, not here in this new place, not yet. She also wasn't at all the type to ask strangers for help without knowing them first. But what could she do...?

Oh, right, she could just stay there looking really lost. A lost zombie, in the middle of the city.

[overkrill]

Since she couldn't walk around town with her Partner in his weapon form slung over her shoulder, Meenah had taken to striding around with a length of pipe or one of the training weapons over her shoulder. Today's victim was a practice spear, thrown haphazardly across her shoulders as she wandered the streets. There wasn't much she was going to do for the moment, given that morning training was over and she didn't have another mission...

Cod, this place was boring when she wasn't killing shit.

Might as well see what kind of hot messes were going to be coming in.

[hardknoxlife]

He was never really the kind to look lost. If anything, he looked pretty well settled in for a newcomer. Ronald considered the constant death theme a bit campy, truth be told. Even back home, things didn't have that glaring a motif to follow but then again this was much better than white walls and wide windows.

Compared to his fellows, he actually seemed quite pleased with himself. The reaper always had the manner of an eager little puppy, much more so now as he peered into shop windows and over people's shoulders. "Hey." he finally chirped up after considering a thought or two. "Do any of you lot know where they put the stuff they took from us when we got in here?"

[violet_mariner]

It wasn't pleasant being suddenly pulled from his duties on Alternia, and his problems were compounded by the painful lack of weapons and the vital supplies his sylladex provided. He took solace that he at least had his armor on, even if it was only the thinner, ceremonial version of his fatigues.

Despite that, he seemed alert and agitated, but otherwise enough at ease as he opted to stay on school grounds and within its walls until sundown. The initial tour guide had let him be with simple directions to the building that would assign him housing whenever he was ready to leave, apparently coming to the quick realization that he shouldn't try to sway Dualscar to the contrary.

When night did fall, he'd ignore the ostentatious designs that permeated many aspects of the city on his way to the Communal. He wouldn't go too far out of his way, though it can't be said his route was very direct, either. He'd opted to explore on his own and familiarize himself with some of the city, wanting to get more information on his own.

Casualty Communal (Soul Perception)

[soul_mods]

After the tour, all newcomers wind up here, standing before a dormitory that stretches to the sky. At the foot of the building are bizarre x-ray machines and a set of tables.

Don't be shy! Step forward and get a peek at that funny little blob floating in your body - that's your soul, you know - to find out if BREW has made you a Meister or a Weapon. Don't forget to request the keys to your new apartment and your communicator!

[howfoolish]

Shiina stood quietly as she waited for her turn to get scanned. She wasn't sure she understood everything, yet, but this was a key part of getting situated into this city and the sooner she did that, the sooner she could work out just how she would win this test set before her now.

[redregrets]

Karkat isn't sure he believes in souls, and even if he does, he's not sure he wants to see his. Besides, he wants his weapon back. He doesn't want to be one or have to swing someone else around. He's going to stubbornly stare at those stupid machines and watch other people see their souls, but there's no way he's going to walk over there and try it himself. He's been standing on the sidelines for quite some time, and there's no way anyone is going to convince him to go over there.

[brainius]

Ghoulia'd heard of a wide variety of different tests and procedures that could be performed, and courtesy of the internet she'd learned about a million more that could be used on ghouls all around the world. But this whole "Soul Perception" thing was a new one. Given that she was in a new place, with new people, and new goals? Well, she wasn't going to question it.

Of course, by the time she gets there, she watched quite a few others go through the process. Learning if she was a Weapon or a Meister so easily would be particularly useful!

[catffeine]

This... seemed to be a little more invasive than he'd hoped.

After finding his way towards the dormitory, Sanae had seated himself on a bench beneath a tree, smoking a cigarette as he watched his fellow newly-arrived guests get scanned. It wasn't that he'd never had his Soul observed -- far from. But he usually avoided hanging out on the Higher Plane where it more or less hung out for all his compatriots to see.

Sanae was a man of secrets and the idea of some stranger poking around inside him to look at his Soul was a little disconcerting. Especially considering that 'Soul' seemed to have a different definition than what he was used to. How would his now mortal Soul translate in a place like this?

He hadn't been able to get a good look at what the screens showed when they were scanning. He'd overheard mentions of this 'Stein' guy being able to take a more close, personal look, but at least this way he could hope the volunteers trained on the scanners weren't trained to take too close of a look. Not to mention he was terribly curious as to this whole 'Weapon/Meister' thing. Would he have been shoved into one of those? He couldn't help but think he was a little different to most of the newcomers.

Probably anyway. Impossible to tell.

Well, it seemed as though he'd gathered as much intel as he could without actually going through. Putting out his cigarette, he finally shuffled into one of the lines.

Re: Casualty Communal (Soul Perception)

[has_too_many_moles]

Still in that halfway state of being shell-shocked with his abrupt change of scenery and information overload, Yukio silently stepped in line behind another newcomer to the city. With his hands tucked into his pockets, Yukio frowned as he thought about this- does he really want someone to look into his soul? It's not a very particularly pleasant looking one to be sure but... He supposes that this was just another step forward into helping end this war and go back home.

[violet_mariner]

The fuck is this.

Why is this here. Why is he here. Why this.

He wouldn't even be bothering with this rampant horseshit if he still had his sylladex. He had enough experience to know better than to just blindly follow foreign orders like a sheep, and while he knew that he technically did have options, he was still a spoiled aristocrat who knew that this was, currently, the best course of action.

Ugh, and a line--this was demeaning, but apparently he had to go through it in order to get his supplies and settle in for the day. Luckily it wasn't long.

Casualty Communal (SEES Table)

[soul_mods]

And lastly, one table in particular, bearing a banner with the letters SEES, seems to be giving out ornate baskets full of goodies to start you off with. Why not mosey over and say hello?

[howfoolish]

It was the two Ss at either end that drew Shiina's attention first. Fleetingly, foolishly, she couldn't help but hope that it was a manifestation of the SSS, that she wasn't the only one to have been set this challenge. Not that she needed anyone else, but was it so bad to at least want one or two familiar faces?

She paused just far enough from the table that she wouldn't be in the way, her curiosity piqued. Even if this wasn't like the SSS, it wouldn't hurt to observe, to find out what this organisation was and whether their apparent kindness was to be trusted or regarded with caution.

Open Interaction

[soul_mods]

The tour's all done and Shibusen's done everything they can to get you acclimated. The city is open to you and the world is your oyster... what to do?