April 1st - Arrival

[cartesio]

Arrival

It feels more like waking up from a very restful night, instead of the jarring feeling of waking up in an unknown bed. That feeling may not last long, though, because you're definitely not looking up at any ceiling you're familiar with.

It's some kind of motel room -- maybe cleaner than you'd expect from such a place. There's a comfortable bed, a trunk with a military uniforn and a gas mask and enough space to stash whatever you get during the next two months, a closet with a familiar outfit or two...no other belongings in this room, and certainly no answers as to why you're here.

There's one thing that may bring more questions than answers: a calendar. Today's date is marked there: April 1st. Happy April Fools day? The entirety of April and most of May is empty, but the week from May 21st to May 25th is filled with one word:

END

The moment you step out of your room with AC you're hit by the warm, sticky air of Cartesio. Today is a rather dry day. You're not the only one who seems to be lost -- other people come out of their rooms. At some point, once you get to the lobby, you find a few things of interest: a guestbook, a rack of maps, and a note pinned to the wood of the counter:

"Meet me at the Lodge in two hours -- The Sergeant"
You now have a place to go to in two hours. In the meanwhile, how about you get accustomed to the motel and the town?

Links

IC Rules
Guestbook
Room Assignments
Locations

Comments

town

[icariot]

[Hawks had been perched up on one of the buildings, taking a breather from trying to fly around town. It was frustrating how hard it was compared to normal, especially since he had all of his feathers right now.

It didn't take him long to notice Cian stumbling around worryingly. There have been some bad reactions among the people here, but he hasn't seen any quite as bad as her. It doesn't take more than a moment to spread his wings and glide down several feet from Cian.]

Hey, are you alright? You don't seem to be doing so hot.

[integratedsoul]

[ Wings.

Those sure are wings. Cian has seen animal parts fused with any number of machines, that's pretty normal for her world. But with a human being? Never. Human bodies are too sacred to attempt something this risky with them. The fusion might be possible, what does Cian know, but it just wouldn't be done.

So Hawks is getting a long speechless stare here as Cian's eyes travel over all the feathers. She should probably reply now. Alright, speech, words, one syllable after another. Cian's got this. ]

I'm... everything here is... very different from home... you see?

[icariot]

[Those sure are words, they even answer the question, sorta. From Hawks’ perspective, she seems like she’s teetering on the edge of shock. Did something traumatic happen since she woke up here? Or was it the wake up itself that led to this?

He holds his hands slightly to the side, empty and open. No weapon, no reason to get more alarmed while he steps closer to a more reasonable distance for talking. For talking and for catching her if she faints, shock can do odd things to a person.]

Yeah, I know what you mean. This is rather different than my home too. [a pause to consider, then] Do you need to sit down for a minute?

[integratedsoul]

[ There's a weak nod and an exhausted smile. ]

Maybe... That's a good idea, yes.

[ So people are still concerned for strangers, even here. Not every conversation Cian's had so far seemed that way.
It helps though, simply being treated with compassion. Cian used to hate this meaningless kindness, but now it's a routine that she knows. Knowing things is worth a lot.

Now, if she also knew where a bench or any kind of seating opportunity were... ]

[icariot]

Great! [Maybe that's still a bit too energetic, oops. Back to the gentler tone--] There's some benches outside a store just up the street, or if you'd rather sit inside there's the diner a little beyond that.

[Food isn't standard treatment for shock, but it hasn't hurt anyone yet. Some food and water might even perk her up a bit, or give her something to hold while she comes out of the presumed-shock.]

[integratedsoul]

Benches sound fine... Thank you.

[ And she does begin walking up the street with some semblance of determination. Breaking down in front of a stranger is simply not acceptable, no matter how mixed up and utterly exhausted she feels. ]

[icariot]

It's no problem. [Hawks easily falls into step with Cian, careful to not crowd her too much as they walk.]

I'm not sure if you've studied up on the guestbook like others have done, but my name is Hawks. [He recognizes her from it, but there's a space to invite her to speak up if she desires.]

[integratedsoul]

I've read it a little.... after Dabi-san told me it was even there. I don't think I memorized the names yet.

[ Which reminds her that there is also no augmented reality profile for herself visible to Hawks, so she better make sure the introduction is mutual. ]

Cian Reikado, it's a pleasure to meet you.

[icariot]

[She met Dabi? There's only so many "tourists" here, so the chances of that happening are high, but him earning the respect of what seems like such a mild mannered person strikes him as odd. What would they even talk about?]

The pleasure is all mine. [a thoughtful hum] You met Dabi earlier, Cian?

[integratedsoul]

Oh, you two know each other already?

[ They arrive at the benches by now and Cian gratefully sits down, breathing a sigh of relief. ]

We talked for a while in the motel.

[icariot]

[Hawks might be a bit of a show off and--after making sure Cian is settled--jumps, flaps his wings lightly once or twice, and settles to sit on the backrest of the bench. His feet shift idly on the part that's actually for sitting before he answers.]

Yeah, we're from the same home. We have known of the other for a while, but we've only really been getting to know each other recently.

[integratedsoul]

[ The showboating certainly has effect, Cian stares at the wings with mesmerized fascination. ]

So there are some people from the same place here... How nice to not end up here alone.

[icariot]

It's certainly reassuring there's at least one person that's already a known quantity, I agree. I'm sure even if no one else from your home is here, you'll find some friendly faces. [You found Hawks right? And apparently the friendly side of Dabi, go figure.

Hawks is glad Cian has seemed to calm down too. Maybe some conversation was all she needed.]