sirenspull_logs | September Arrivals Log

Entry tags:

September Arrivals Log

Who: September Arrivals, Greeters, NPC recruiters & anyone else who happens to be hanging around the Tower Apartments to 'welcome' newcomers.
When: Throughout September, 2012 (Please Specify Date & Time in Thread Header)
Where: The Sector 4 Baseball Diamond, Parking Lot & Lobby of the Tower Apartments
Summary: This is your catch-all one stop log for arrival interactions! New Newcomers can also meet and mingle in the apartment lobby.
Warnings: Nausea, potential for violence, language- add on any warnings or ratings as they come up.

It feels like a whiplash, like being plucked up into the sky and sucked through a very tight dark space before being deposited rather roughly in the City. Your character will be disoriented, dizzy, slightly nauseous, and very sore upon arriving in Siren's Port It is your choice whether your character arrives during the safety of the day or the danger of night.

Until recently, no one knew why, but every new arrival from another world gets deposited in the dead center of an ill-kept baseball diamond.

Some of the fences and signboards have been replaced with information and welcoming signs, posted by Newcomers as encouragement. However, from time to time some form of degrading graffiti'd tag might appear here or there, 'Go Home!' or 'Now You're Fucked, Newmeat' 'Welcome to Sirens Port, Population: Too Many to Add One More' and 'Attention Newcomers: Please wait here till sunset sirens to receive your welcoming package! =) ')

A person is thrown from their pull somewhere within the fenced-in baseball field, either in the dirty infield or tossed rolling into the overgrown dirty outfield. A recent fire has charred the left side of the outfield, and grass is only starting to grow back.

Standing on second base and facing home plate, one will see a rotten, old and deteriorating backstop and chain link fencing, much like any little league baseball field. Broken down bleachers made of worn out green painted wood can be seen in disarray behind this, and some old trees line the wall and fencing along the right side.

To your left is a walled in Dugout with a secured door. The dugouts are made of thick concrete and set low into the earth. This one has been outfitted as a safe place to enter during the night to hide and wait out the morning. Sometimes Greeters can be found here, waiting for people to show up. The Dugout to the right has also been cemented over and secured with a heavily guarded and armored door.

The Baseball Diamond is held by the Neutral Government, allowing greeters access to the infield to retrieve new arrivals. However, the small building constructed over the right dugout is still guarded heavily by government-controlled Voids, to block public access to the Core. Those who cooperate with greeters will be treated fairly and be given helpful information, lead to the Tower Apartments and offered a month's lodging. Those who put up a fight will be met with Voids and detained by police.

Just beyond the fence, in the Tower Apartments parking lot and lobby, SERO and AGI recruiters will be passing out informational leaflets presenting company propaganda, including discounted coupon booklets and travel-sized toiletries as a "Newcomer Welcome Package".

Other then the lights around the Core dugout, there is one single electric light above home plate that remains on, even in the Darkness. There is an open walkway near the dugouts that leads into the parking lot of the Tower Apartments. The front doors of Tower One are always kept unlocked, but you had best close them again quickly if you slip inside during the night. The office of the Landlord is well marked near the lobby, and you'll receive keys there.

The second tower is abandoned, it looks like there was some kind of bombing. Asking around, you might hear about the anti-newcomer movement and an attempt to blow up both towers. Explosive charges were set up in the elevator shafts, back in January. Tower Two's weren't disabled in time, so the building is taped off, and you'll be advised not to go wandering in there- it's no doubt structurally unsound, though the first tower still stands tall and (mostly) functioning.

Though temporary housing services are funded by SERO and AGI, they are now run buy the Newcomers themselves. With heavy funding and support contacts from both companies, the building is in a state of slow remodeling.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mexico?

[Well, that gets his attention. It has to be a coincidence, right? He opens the building door, and gets them both inside, then frowns. It's a long way up to the 7th floor with the elevators not running. Maybe he should have hailed a cab and taken her to the Cat's Eye. But she interrupts his thoughts, asking for his NV.]

Huh? Yeah, of course you can use it. Do you...want to do that now?

[In the downstairs corridor? With no pants on and barf residue on her face? Then again, she's probably really scared. It's not so weird if he thinks of it like that.]

I live like 14 flights up, so if you need a break it's alright. Once I had a stomach flu and I think I had to sit down at the top of like every landing. But the girl who was helping me was really nice about it. So it's my civic duty to pay that forward, right?

After I get cleaned up. [Because his look uh, reminds her that she's disgusting and in her underwear.]

Thank you. You're being really helpful.

[Jane knows good people exist, but also that they're rare. She hopes nothing jades Yosuke. It'd be a shame. And his perkiness is kind of sweet, even if she's in no position to banter back.]

Let's just...focus on those stairs and me trying not to make you carry me.

[By the first floor she's already even shakier.]

There's no need to thank me, it's my job.

[Okay, maybe not the part about taking her home and cleaning her up. But everything up until when they got inside the building is. He's a skinny kid -maybe a bit too skinny- but fairly tall, just a few centimeters shorter than Jane, and with a sort of wiry strength to him. He meant it when he offered to carry her. His brow furrows just a bit at the shakiness, and he wraps his good arm around her a little more tightly.]

You're not doing so good, huh? Maybe we have some food upstairs. I remember buying some ohagi the other day...

[His arm tightening and his build remind her of Jesse, and she has to swallow down a wave of longing. She can imagine Jesse doing this for her, easily. She wonders if he's even still--he must be, or she'd be dead too.]

I'd like that.

[On the fourth floor her legs demand a break, and she nudges Yosuke into settling her down.]

How is it your job? You always out there rescuing damsels in distress?

No. Sometimes it's crazy guys who call me retarded and kick dirt in my face.

[In spite of the bitter remark, Yosuke eases Jane down carefully, then scoots in beside her so she still has somewhere to lean.]

Uh. I mean...it's -that is-I'm a greeter. I get this apartment for free in exchange for finding people when they get here, and helping them inside before something eats them. But they usually aren't cute and sweet like you.

[For the sake of not flipping out even more she's going to assume 'people getting eaten' is quirky humour, not literal. (The idea it is just--where the fuck is she and what has she gotten into?)]

Flatterer.

[She nudges him, gently.]

I'm sorry that happened to you. Assholes. I'm go rough them up for you later.

Edited 2012-09-10 19:59 (UTC)

Maybe when you feel better, champ.

[Not like he'd introduce her to Pinkman anyway. No way, he saw this one first, and vomit aside she's at least a 9. He's definitely only introducing her to gay guys. And probably not Willow-San either. Even though that would be pretty hot. But they'd probably never let him watch anyway, and...wait, what? He shakes his head again. Jeez, he's going to need a shower too at this rate.]

Anyway, I'm also supposed to tell you the other stuff you need to know. Which is the stuff I said will probably freak you out. When I first got here I didn't sleep for like a week. But...well, I didn't know what I was in for. So it's better if we can avoid that with you. So, um. Canada. more or less, anyway. It's not too far from Vancouver, which is somewhere between California and Alaska I think...

...Oh, Jesus Christ.

[Jane goes even paler and wraps her arm around Yosuke's shoulder this time, determined to get back on her feet and up the rest of the stairs without stopping. Canada. She didn't even have a passport or any ID at all. Going to the cops was even more out of the picture than before. She couldn't afford anyone looking at her or Jesse that closely.]

Yeah, I'm--going to freak out. Don't take it personally, and thanks for not just--dumping it on me all at once. [She stubs her bare toe on a step and winces, stumbling.] I'm such a mess.

Woah, hey!

[Yosuke scrambles up with Jane, a little wide-eyed again. He tries to steady her, but the stubbed toe is something he hasn't accounted for. He winces a little in sympathy.]

No, you're not. Everyone is like this when they get here. [Except usually with pants. Not that he's complaining.] It's a little better once you get settled in, okay?

I just--I feel hideous and I'm in Canada and--

[She cuts herself off and smiles at him, faintly apologetic. She squeezes his shoulder and tucks herself in.]

Sorry. I don't mean to whine. [It's not just being in Canada that has such her a mess, but, well. He doesn't need to deal with that. It's too heavy.] Why doesn't my hero tell me more about himself?

You're not hideous. [It's gentle, but sincere. And probably would be pretty sweet if he didn't ruin it in the next breath.] Seriously, I gave you a 9 earlier even though you almost threw up on me. And you get extra points for being brave enough for cross dimensional travel with no pants.

[Yosuke winks, so she'll know he's teasing, and then wonders how to answer her question. Usually, he'd be trying to flirt, pulling out all his best lines. But she's sick, and scared, and there's probably nothing reassuring about being hit on by some creep right away. But knowing who the guy you're following home is? Yeah, that request makes sense.]

Uh. Well. I'm from Japan. I guess you can tell that, though. Hmm. I worked at a department store there, nothing exciting. When I got here, a nice wizard gave me a job washing dishes in a restaurant. And I still kind of work there, sometimes. Uh. My friend Keigo lives upstairs too...he might stare if he's home, but he's a good guy. And if he says anything rude I'll make him sleep in the corridor. Deal?

[Jane laughs quietly at Yosuke's compliment, and she'd follow it up with a light Mrs. Robinson reference if not for--well, fuck, she's either tripping absolute balls or he actually said cross-dimensional. Jane knows her comic books, she gets what that means.]

Deal. [She can manage that before a shaky breath.]

Cross-dimensional travel and a--nice wizard?

Shit.

[Is the eloquent response from Yosuke. He bites his lip a little, then shrugs helplessly. The next words come out a little hoarse.]

Like I said, this place is bananas. I make like $300 a night now, but I still can't buy a ticket home. It doesn't work that way. Uh...maybe we'd better get you a bath and some food before I say something else stupid. C'mon.

Edited 2012-09-10 21:35 (UTC)

[They're almost at the top, so Jane bites her tongue. She can't argue with that logic, and the idea of not going home already has her in a panic. The idea she might never see Jesse again, after everything, or her dad--

That won't happen. She'll find a way. She waits to be led to wherever Yosuke lives, and finds it in herself to say:]

It wasn't stupid. Don't worry about it.

[He snorts quietly at that. No, he's well aware that most of the things he says are stupid, actually. But in her situation, he'd probably err on the nice side too.]

[The good news is they're finally there. Yosuke unlocks the door and kicks aside the newspaper, right into a small pile of other newspapers. He steps out of his shoes inside, then leads Jane to the nearest seat. The sofa, where all the half naked girls go.]

Do you want some water?

Love some.

[Jane is incredibly grateful to be at rest, and she curls up on the couch against the arm rest, drawing her slim legs up to her chest and closing her eyes with a sigh.]

Where's the bathroom? [She opens her eyes and smiles blearily.] I think I'll try to shower before...anything.

[Yosuke's back with the water by the time Jane opens her eyes again, and trying to check subtly for pupil dilation. Hmm...not so good. How did she get a concussion on both sides, anyway?]

[But he hands the water over, and then points her to the bathroom. The apartment is a two bedroom, so it's not tiny, but it's still small enough that the bathroom can be seen from any of the other rooms.]

It's right there. Um...my towel is the yellow one. You can use any of the soap in there. Half the time I don't even look in the morning anyway, so if you used some of Keigo's he'd just blame me.

[Not to mention, he'd be crazy to complain.]

Listen, I'm a little worried about your head. So if you take a long time I'll knock. But I promise not to come in unless you don't answer.

I'll leave it unlocked.

[Frankly, she assumes if he did try anything she could kick his ass even now, but her mind barely skims that. Yosuke won't, if she is literally any judge of character.

She gets up unsteadily, but makes it to the bathroom with her glass of water. She shuts the door immediately, but then remembers she hasn't thanked him again yet, so...she opens the door topless, but with the door hiding her breasts. Still, it's pretty obvious.]

Thanks for the water.

[Then she vanishes into the sound of warm water.

She only takes a few minutes, and comes out in her boyshorts and grey t-shirt she was wearing originally, draping Yosuke's sweatshirt on the back of his couch. With her face clean, she reflects, she may even rate a ten. She has her hair up in a towel and refilled her water from the bathroom sink, so she cuddles back up on the couch and sips it.]

I think...I think you can just lay the whole thing on me now. In case it makes me throw up. I don't want to waste your food.

[Yosuke is in the process of putting some water for tea on when Jane pokes her head back out, wearing even less than before. It's one thing to know that a girl is naked on the other side of that door -naked and touching his things! Using his towel!- but it's a totally different thing to actually see evidence of it.]

Ah! Yuh. I-w-uh, welcome! You're welcome!

[Holy crap. He gets an ice cube from the freezer to suck on before he goes back to what he was doing, distractedly. When the tea is on, he ducks into his room to find a pair of clean shorts and a shirt for her, which he absently sets on the table before he starts opening cupboards, looking for food. It's always a little scarce, honestly. A couple of teenage boys live there, so there's no one who cooks. But usually there's at least a stray packet of ramen somewhere...]

[It's while he's puzzling over this that Jane returns, washed and -oops. Still in her dirty clothes. He glances a little guiltily at the ones he left on the table.]

Sure. I uh...I remember getting pretty woozy myself when Souji explained it. You-you want to hear everything?

Yeah. Like ripping off a Bandaid, right?

[Better to just deal with it in one go than be horrified in small doses. She already knew she was in deep shit no matter what, so really. He could go ahead and break her brain.]

...are those for me?

Huh?

[Not that he can think of anything off the top of his head he wouldn't give her if she happened to ask.]

Oh. Yeah. Yours looked kind of...barfy.

They are.

[Jane shivers off the couch to go to the table and just...casually strips off her top before she pulls on the shorts and the top, then returns to the couch. She keeps her back to him, but still.]

Thank you.

[Deep breath, again.]

Okay. I'm ready. Give me the story.

[Jane may be ready, but Yosuke isn't. He gawks openly this time, a deep pink spreading across his cheeks and nose. He tries to answer her, but can't even get a single syllable out. Blushing even harder, he fans himself with his shirt and stumbles to his feet. Water, he needs water...]

[It's only after he shakily chugs a glass of it that he attempts speech again. Unfortunately that's just when the kettle goes off, and he's forgotten about it. With a weird little squawking sound he hits the floor and covers his head with his good arm. His empty glass smashes against the leg of the table, making him jump again.]

Sorry...I uh-th-that's embarrassing.

[He gets back to his feet, still a little shaky, and turns his back. Yep, this girl will definitely think he's nuts. Great. What a totally reassuring way to show someone new they're safe here in crazy monster land. Maybe if he gets the tea ready and talks at the same time, she'll forget he did that.]

So, this is the city of Siren's Port. No one knows why, but something below the city brings people here from far away...

[No, Jane is not forgetting. In fact, she's on her feet, going to tug Yosuke into her arms, spinning him around to put his head at her shoulder, because--no, there was nothing forgettable about that.]

Hey, hey, just--

[She doesn't know what, but he slammed to the ground like a bomb drill, and she's worried.]

[He stiffens up a bit at being grabbed that way, but he knows it's Jane, so he takes a deep breath and forces himself to relax. Then, still trying to save face, he continues talking, right onto her shoulder.]

There are these companies that fight over it I guess. You'll see stuff about them everywhere. It's even in the lobby. They like to target this building because new people end up here a lot of the time.

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