ARRIVAL LOG - First Wave

[evercyclic]

Who; EVERYONE! What; The new residents of HQ make their arrival! Where; All unrestricted areas of HQ (and maybe some restricted areas, you naughty people) When; July 24th, Mid-morning on Warnings; None as of yet, can be changed if content changes IT'S A MINOR BLIP IN TIME Maybe you were showering, or sleeping, having breakfast. You might have been participating in your morning commute or fighting off a horde of zombies. Whatever you were in the middle of, a strange sensation of disconnection comes over you, as though you're watching your life on screen, a passive audience to the proceedings. It's almost like, well, being sucked down the drain like every adolescent nightmare, the feeling of disconnection replaced quickly with a pain so deep, it's as though every atom of your being is pressed too closely together, and your vision goes dark. Then, just as quickly as the pain came over it, it's gone, reality snapping back into place like a stretched rubber band. WELCOME TO NEW YORK CITY When your eyes adjust, you find yourself in a slightly spartan room, standing on a platform that seems to be made of glass or some sort of crystal. Energy currents in blues and greens swirl within it, dizzying and hypnotizing if stared at for too long. You're shocked from the vision by a cheery, bubbly voice that belongs to a petite brunette grinning at you from the base of the steps that lead down from the platform. She apologizes for any inconvenience you may have been caused, and hands you a small package, explaining that inside you'll find a phone, a directory of locations within the complex you've arrived in, a charge card with a balance of $500, and a key to a room in the dormitories which can be reached by following the green line on your directory. She apologizes again for how confusing this must all be, but assures you that everything will make sense soon! OOC NOTES: Feel free to hit up any of the NPC starters, start your own threads under any of the locations provided, or start your own threads independent of the starters! Prose or brackets are welcomed! Once characters leave the Receiving Room, they will have full access to the Network, and you're free to post there as well!

Comments

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

In the cafeteria in HQ, meals are served pro-bono and at specific times: breakfast is served from 8am-10am, lunch from 12pm-2pm, and dinner from 6pm-8pm. While there are a few members of HQ who help out with dishes, the ordering is handled at the counter, and if you want a meal, you'll need to talk to Gus.

Gus is an older but powerfully built man who stands 6'2" and has a dominate and gruff air about him. He's in charge of this place and there will be no shenanigans. When someone approaches the counter, he'll move to them, meeting their gaze without waver, and lean against the bar.

"What'll it be?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[allineedisyou]

Grace had been wandering around since she spoke to the nice girl at the receiving bay. She was looking for one person in particular though she didn't know where to start. She thought there might be someone here who an help which brings to her to current position; standing in front of Gus.

"Have you seen my father?"

Bright dark eyes looked up at him from beneath her red hood. With her dress and cloak it was easy to tell that she was one of those new arrivals.

"He's really tall with dark hair and blue eyes." She knew her father by sight and while she'd been waiting for him for months now she thought that maybe he was here. If she was brought here maybe he was too and that's why he hadn't come home.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

Gus watched the kid come in, and his heart went out to her. She was displaced like the rest of them, sure, but she was just a kid. He shook his head at her question.

"Sorry, kiddo. Haven't seen him. What's his name? I'll keep an eye out."

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[allineedisyou]

"It's Jefferson."

She didn't know if he'd be handing out his name but it was worth a shot. Grace had the sinking feeling that her father might not be here and if he wasn't then there would be no way for him to find her. She wasn't where he'd look.

Grace's eyes moved towards the floor as disappointment gripped her heart. It's been months since he left but the pain hasn't gotten any easier.

"Please let me know if you see him." Her voice sounded smaller than before.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

It's clear from his expression his heart goes out to the little girl. He can only imagine how...well, that wasn't important right now.

He leans over the bar, motioning to one of the seats.

"We'll find him, kiddo. How about I get you something in the meantime?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[allineedisyou]

Grace frowned but moved over to the seat. Her heart told her to keep looking though she knew that it wouldn't be very smart to keep running around. Her father had wanted her to stay safe and that's what she would do. Pushing her palms on the seat she jumps up, her feet dangling in the air.

Grace was twelve and at least 4 feet tall but it still made stools difficult.

"Something?"

Her head turned towards the menu, remembering the note about special orders. The only problem was that none of the foods sounded familiar to her. She stared at the board for a long time trying to determine what things were. They didn't have hotdogs or pizza in the Enchanted Forest.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

He smiles, slightly sad, as the girl makes her way onto the stool. She reminds him a little of his own little girl, lost now, and maybe a little older, but she still has that same sort of cherubic innocence.

"You ever had hotdogs, sweetie?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[allineedisyou]

Once Grace was settled she pulled back her hood showing off her long wheat colored hair. She had a braid to one side that was messy and it was obvious she'd braided it herself.

"No, what is it?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[misskringle]

"Just a cup of tea?" came a voice belonging to a young woman in a simple blue dress and pink twin set. Kristen's kitten heels however gave her arrival away, the slight clicking of the heels being the factor. The smell however had pulled her into the cafeteria and cue her thinking a cup of tea would help her unravel things and plan a next move: like finding a job and being useful in spite of her current state.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

The werewolf had heard the clacking even before she entered the cafeteria, and he watches her approach the counter with an even expression. All these new people were putting him on edge, these outsiders in his territory, but it's not the first time he's resisted his instincts in an effort to promote solidarity.

He nods at her request, then looks expectant. "Any specific kind, kiddo?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[misskringle]

"Earl Grey if you have any? Otherwise basic black tea is fine." Kristen quickly decided.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

He nods, setting about the request. She'd actually requested the same tea his boss preferred to drink, so getting it going was no big deal. While it's steeping, he looks back to her.

"How ya holdin' up, kiddo?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[theycalledmeacurse]

More than just another place to explore, Rogue was drawn to the cafeteria because it reminded her of home. The actual space looked nothing like the dining hall at the mansion, and she was sure the kitchens would be quite different as well, but it was the feel of it. Everyone coming together, life convening in one space with a shared purpose. If nothing else, she'd be able to remind herself what it was like to be around other people.

The only problem? She wasn't hungry. No matter how long she stood there examining the menu posted on the sign, she couldn't decide on what sounded good, because there was no pleasure in eating anymore. But she couldn't just stand there, so in she went, looking around the room and feeling rather... lost. At first glance, she didn't recognize anyone there, and why should she?

There were tables, and a counter. Right. She needed something so she didn't look completely out of place. Approaching the counter, she asked the man behind it, "Could I maybe just have a cup of coffee?" There was hesitation in her voice, and if he cared to notice, he'd see that she was clearly exhausted. It had been one hell of a long day.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

The older werewolf knew something of that haggard expression. It was someone near if not at the limits of their emotional and physical endurance. He smiles kindly, nodding and motioning to a seat at the bar.

"Sure thing, kiddo. How do you take it?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[theycalledmeacurse]

Kiddo. Lord, for a second there he almost reminded her of Logan. The thought sent a spike of emotional pain right through and she winced slightly before taking the indicated seat.

"Just black, please." Normally she'd have it with cream or sugar, but it had been so long and she was so tired. Black would be better, it would help keep her alert a little while longer.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

He sets out a mug and fills it up. "Girl after my own heart." His expression turns sympathetic as he goes about wiping down the counter nearby.

"Look, I don't know where you came from, and I know you don't have any reason to trust me, but I can assure you this place is safe, and we'll do our best to find you a way home."

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[theycalledmeacurse]

Rogue wrapped her hands around the mug and nearly sighed at the warmth that immediately began to seep from the porcelain to the cotton gloves she'd borrowed from Airy. She could see that sympathy written in the older man's expression and she just... didn't know what to do with it.

"Thank you," was her immediate, instinctual response. Southern manners would forever be ingrained in her. But going home, that was something she couldn't even begin to wrap her head around. Would she wake up as she was supposed to, in a new life with no memories of the war? Or would she be right back in that mountain temple, watching the Sentinels about to kill them all for simply existing.

And could any place really be safe for her?

After blowing on the steaming coffee for a moment, she took a cautious sip and really did sigh as the taste of it hit her tongue. Oh, she'd missed this, so very much.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

Gus nodded at her show of gratitude. Most people in this city were assholes. He'd raised his family in a small town in upstate New York until, well, that wasn't important. There was a sense of community in a place like that. Here? It was every man for himself. Maybe he felt that sort of connection with this girl.

Or maybe it was the obvious sharing of trauma. He didn't spend much time thinking about it.

"Don't mention it, kiddo. It's what I'm here for. Everybody's gotta eat, right?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[theycalledmeacurse]

Rogue remembered what it was like to be part of a community, to always have each others' backs. It was a distant memory though, tarnished by what had come after. By being left behind.

"Right," she agreed quietly, staring down into her mug. After a few moments, she looked back up at Gus and hesitantly asked, "Do you need any help? Here? I... like to keep busy." And it seemed like she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[defenderofmen]

Elena wasn't sure where to go when presented with this sort of situation. Nothing was familiar and she didn't have her pack or Philip or anyone to lean on. She didn't do well around strangers though she has tried to keep up something close to a smile. She was stressed and she was tired but more than that she wanted to return home, to Toronto.

She slowly made her way to the cafeteria, thinking that food might make her feel more normal. She didn't know how she was going to handle a normal life here if they all have to eat in a big hall at specific times.

When she stepped into the hall a new smell hit her. She turned to look at Gus, her expression guarded and unsure. When he asked her what she wanted she looked at the menu. "Hot dogs?" Really?

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

Gus recognized the scent of another wolf, though something about her seemed off. He shrugged it off as just being from a different world, though. It wasn't too much of a stretch.

A smile touched his lips whenever she spoke, and there was a note of pride in his eyes when he nodded, but he tilted his head to the side questioningly.

"You asking for some or just asking, kiddo?"

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[defenderofmen]

A small smile tugged at her lips and she took a seat at the counter facing him. Her heels rested against the stools legs while her fingers lightly tugged at the hem of her jacket. She hadn't had someone ever call her kiddo but then she rarely had a family long enjoy for such cute nicknames to come up.

"Both." She was starving and this strange wolf would probably understand that. "I didn't notice any others around." Her eyes watched him as he moved. He'd notice that she was guarded, even when she smiled, there were things haunting her in the shadows.

"Are you the only one here?" She meant werewolf but she's to used to keeping it a secret. If someone found out then Jeremy would have them killed.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

Gus' tone became more gruff at her question. For twenty years, he'd thought he'd known what happened to his pack. Now, after recent events, he wasn't so sure he'd been right and that question plagued him every day.

"Yeah. I was the only wolf, anyway, until you showed up."

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[defenderofmen]

"Only wolf?"

Elena's voice was soft and she looked nervous. Her eyes flicked around the room as if someone might be able to hear them. As if that was bad. The tension in her shoulders suggested more than just being spotted as a wolf but something darker that lingered within the shadows of her past.

CAFETERIA | NPC: Gus

[evercyclic]

Gus can't help the smirk of amusement that teases his lips, and he shakes his head.

"Don't act like it's a dirty secret, kiddo. Half the people who live down here can smell it."