Intro Log: I'll Cry If I Want To

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for December
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: December 10th-14th
Warnings: Angry crying ladies and a bunch of newbies

Good morning, new Hadrielites! What a joy it is to awaken on the hard ground of the colosseum, with absolutely no idea where you are or what's going on. As you wake up, confused and possibly a little terrified, you may be angry. You may be frightened. You may be hungry, if you didn't eat a good lunch. You may want to cry.

And it looks like you're not the only one who wants to cry. Along with the newcomers, a number of Witches have come to Hadriel. They stand in one place or wander, crying bitterly, as if their boyfriend has broken up with them or they've lost their puppy. Maybe you're a good person who wants to see if they're okay? Well, you might want to rethink that. Disturb a Witch - which is pretty easy to do - and they'll fly into a rage, attacking you with their sharp claws and tearing your guts out. Good luck trying to get out of the colosseum without running into one!

Don't worry, though. Scattered around is also some stuff that's a little more fun! The Door's theme this month seems to be 'stuff stressed-out executives would put on their desks', and since we've got so many of those, surely you can find a toy or two to play with!

If you've managed to avoid getting clawed to bits and maybe found a cool new distraction or two, congrats! That's the first step to becoming a productive member of Hadriel society! Now, feel free to go explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers December 10th-14th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

Natasha Romanoff | OTA

[outstandingbalance]

Coliseum

[Coming to on the ground, no memory of how she got here, might not be the worst wake up Natasha's ever had but it's not exactly in the top ten.

It's not something she's completely unprepared for either. Within moments she's on her feet, she's assessed her resources and her surroundings and she's found the phone and perused its contents.

What she makes of all this, she hasn't decided yet. She faces it will a healthy amount of skepticism, that's for certain. It seems unbelievable. Unbelievable and irrational, even. On the other hand, she would have said the same thing about alien invasions a few years ago and whether or not she believes what she's read, whether she even believes what she sees, she is here and she has to deal with that.

She can't stay in one place and wait to be found. Among other things, she doesn't have any reason to believe anyone is looking for her. No one she wants to find her. So she starts to look for a way outside, moving cautiously, boot falls all but silent as she picks her way through the coliseum, alert for signs of life—fellow abductees, or otherwise.

Whether or not she'll approach is going to depend on the situation she finds them in...]

Recon

[Out in the city, with a little time, distance and a close call or two with witches between her and her uncomfortable arrival, Natasha still isn't sure what she believes. Something is happening here. Something she'd rather have no part of, too, but doesn't look like that's a choice she's going to get.

She needs to know more. Intel has always been the currency with the most weight in Natasha's world, and right now she has precious little of it. Needing more overcomes some of her instinct to caution.

At first this means setting herself to explore the cavern, taking in the artifacts and architecture, comparing it to what she knows from home; with the exception of a few stress balls and a moving sculpture back in the coliseum, though, it's all alien. The buildings in particular rub her wrong. She's traveled most of the world, seen buildings new and ruined on six continents, and she's never seen anything like them. She can't deny the evidence is consistent with what the guide on her phone claimed.

From there it's clear she'll need to change tactics. That's okay. She's a spy, after all. She's always done her best work among people.

Which is how, a few hours after she showed up, her exploration shifts from getting the general lay of the terrain to seeking out places people might congregate, the stores, residential spires and housing areas, and especially the bar. There, she keeps a sharp eye for people who look like they might be able to provide her with useful information. People who look like they know what they're about, maybe. Or who seem calm, carrying an air of experience. People alone, who look like they'd rather not be. People who might want to talk.

When she spots someone likely, she inserts herself near them with a smooth, casual ease and strikes up a conversation.]

Hey. Maybe you can help me. I'm a little lost. [She might say, depending on where she's at, her voice flexing with what might be embarrassment or might be nothing at all. That, or if her target seems newer, something like:] You look like you're having as bad a day as me.

[Or when she finds the bar, Natasha might just say invite herself to sit next to them and murmur.] Mind if I join you? I hate to drink alone.

[wipedclean]

[He's alone, and he definitely doesn't look like he particularly wants to be, but that's about all Bucky has going for him on Natasha's list.

It's hugely telling that he doesn't actually notice her until she's right next to him, and it startles him, makes him anxious and panicky. He wants to bolt, but he stays where he is.

He looks pretty awful. Hair unwashed, clothes soft and comfortable but getting on the ratty side from dirt and tears, and his eyes are wild and red-rimmed and he just looks exhausted and in pain.

But he also still has a gun, and lots of knives, even in his comfy cozy clothes.

Bucky stares at her, and steps back, his grip on his gun shifting, but not quite hostile.]

Yes. It's a bad day.

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha's fault: she should have given him more warning. It hadn't occurred to her that she'd actually sneak up on the Winter Soldier. Not without putting a lot more effort into it. But while they hadn't exactly been on the same side the last time they saw each other, they hadn't been trying to kill each other.

And they had Steve in common. Solid enough grounds, given the circumstances, to risk contact.

She leans back a little, her hands visible at her sides. Her posture becomes deliberately nonthreatening.]

Didn't expect to run into you here.

[Whether or not that's an apology is open to interpretation. His state doesn't go unnoticed though.]

Steve too?

[The two of them had been together last she saw. And if she were being honest, it would be nice to have someone here she trusted. There's almost a little hope in her voice as she asks.]

[wipedclean]

[She's not treating him like an enemy, which is surprising enough. She's wary, which is good, but she's also relaxed, deliberately so, so she's clearly coming from a point when he wasn't trying to kill her.

This doesn't really put him at ease, but it at least gives him a little context.

He stiffens when she mentions Steve.]

Not anymore.

[He swallows hard, frowning.]

You're not... afraid of me?

[He's tried to kill her several times. He still has orders to kill her, or apprehend her, though he's been in the caves for long enough that the orders are quiet now, sunk into the back of his mind, unimportant.]

[outstandingbalance]

[His response says a lot. It says, among other things, that he expects her to be afraid. That taken with his demeanor makes her cautious.

But while his stance was threatening, he wasn't trying anything.]

Should I be?

[Her chin comes up a little. Her tone is even, no trace of sarcasm.]

recon!

[dedikated]

( She could call this time of month a pain, but honestly, most times of the month were a pain down here. And, after the rifts that opened at the end of last month, arrival day seems positively civil in comparison. So, after time spent hidden in the stands of the colosseum, trying to gather information about the monsters that arrived, Kate stops by the bar for a cup of coffee - a quick breather before she sees what the state of the clinic is like, how many people have been rushed there or have turned up, trying to find out more.

She's waiting for her coffee - black, no sugar. As basic as it comes - to cool a touch more when Natasha sits down next to her. )

Sure.

( A short pause as Kate's head turns to look at the woman who sat down, a moment's regard before: ) You new?

( She doesn't recognise the woman, and between the network and the fact that this place isn't exactly a bustling metropolis, that seems like the safest bet. But she could be wrong. )

[outstandingbalance]

You could say that.

[Natasha glances at the coffee. Doesn't seem like a bad idea. Probably better than alcohol, really.

Natasha's not here for the drinks anyway.]

Just showed up today.

[She assumes it's still the same day.]

[dedikated]

( Kate nods, no traces of surprise on her face at that. The new arrivals come like clockwork, and it's still some time before the artificial light they pretend is a sun dims, until the "night", as it were, starts.

She takes the cup in her hands, letting the warmth sink into fingertips before taking a sip. )

Happens every month. Least, as far as anyone can figure a month.

( Honestly, she doesn't envy Bruce's task in trying to make a proper calendar for this place. Trying to track time is difficult enough even with all the progress that's been made. (So far, Kate's been tracking months with a rough tally, mental notes and the flood of newbies that turn up. )

[outstandingbalance]

When you say every month like that, doesn't give me a lot of hope that this will be a short stay.

[Natasha would love to be reading that wrong, but as it stands, her impression between the guide and the few people she's run into is that she might as well settle in.

She's not sure she's ready to accept that.]

How many months have you been here, if you don't mind me asking?

Recon!

[iustitiae]

[connor smiles, patting the seat next to him.]

No problem at all. Some of the best getting-to-know-you happens in this very bar.

[he would know, after all, and he says it with that kind of confidence. how many people had connor talked to in delight's bar, now? too many to doubt her magic at bringing people together.]

I'm Connor. What's your name?

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha.

[No reason to hide it. From what she's gleaned so far, high likelihood no one here knows her name anyway. Or very few of them.

Barnes is still a surprise surprise she's not entirely sure what to do with.]

Getting-to-know-you, hm? I guess that is what I'm after. Currently the list of people I know is circling zero.

[iustitiae]

Well now you know one.

[he smiles - it's wide, but connor has been far from happy these days.]

So you're new, I take it? Survived whatever the Door spit out this time?

[outstandingbalance]

It's a start.

[Natasha isn't here to criticize anyone for their fake smiles. Not when she' essentially asking for help.]

Those. [She huffs a soft sigh, someone who's seen a lot and isn't impressed by what she's seen here. Or she tells herself she's not.] Crying women, attack at any provocation? Claws to back it up.

Recon

[foundafamily]

[Firo pauses just outside one of the stores.]

Lost?

[There's really only one thing that could mean, though she doesn't seem as freaked out as a typical new arrival. Firo assumes that means she simply still hasn't quite accepted the reality of being stuck here--honestly, that's part of how he kept functioning at first. He shrugs and nudges the brim of his hat back with the heel of his palm.]

If what you want is a way out, I can't help you. We're not really 'lost' here so much as we are kidnapped.

[He might be a tad dramatic about the whole thing. But it's true, isn't it?]

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha lifts one shoulder in a shrug, not arguing.]

So I've read. I'd say I still don't know where I am, though. Lost is close enough.

[A quick, rueful flash of a smile.]

We could go with new, if you'd rather?

[foundafamily]

[He smiles back--well, at least she seems to have it together. It's easier talking to someone like that.]

Guess so.

I didn't really read that thing, so I can't promise I can tell you anything you don't already know. But if you've got questions, shoot. I've been here a while.

[Reading helpful guides is for people with a lot more patience than Firo.]

one more for recon!

[benumbing]

[Whatever she's looking for, she's come to the right place. Jack is perched on one of the bar stools like he owns it, and as much as he's here, he might as well. Apparently his refusal to accept too many favors from the gods doesn't quite extend to their booze.

He swallows down the last of the amber liquid in his glass, a brow arching at her voice before he turns his head to look at her. In answer to her question, Jack just pulls an empty glass in front of her, filling both up from the bottle that sits nearby.]

So do I. It might be a little hard to tell. [Jack smiles, already knowing that he doesn't recognize her.] I'm guessing you could use one right about now.

always room for one more!

[outstandingbalance]

[The resemblance is extraordinary. If Natasha were the sort to double take, she might have. From her, it gets the flick of an eyelid and a puckered brow. There's no mistaking him for someone else though, whatever their faces say.

Natasha could tell this place was going to strain her carefully constructed mask, but it wasn't going to fail her yet.]

You don't even know how right you are. [Her lips twitch, not quite finding a smile.] Natasha Romanoff. You?

[benumbing]

[Jack thought the same thing himself, at first, like his sanity was being challenged if not slipping away completely. He's seen stranger things since then; he barely even remembers that there's someone else in the cave who could be his brother. Twin. Triplet, since he already has a twin sister.]

Jack Benjamin. [He clinks his glass gently against hers before taking a sip.] I guess the Door's doing its thing again. I'm sorry it did it to you, assuming that you didn't come from someplace worse.

[zen_en_vert]

[He's not sitting next to her when she asks that question- but the sound of her turning that charm on someone else is so familiar that he actually bends forward at the bar, peers down it, and asks;]

Natasha?

[Sort of a moodkiller, an ex popping in on the middle of your game, but so be it.]

[outstandingbalance]

[Not exactly the place she was expecting to hear that voice again. It certainly changes the game. Whether or not it can kill the mood when she was already pretty low remains to be seen.

Her expression tightens briefly, an emotion she doesn't examine too closely flaring up in that second. She lets it pass.]

Bruce.

[She lets her mark off the hook. She can think of people she'd rather run into from home than an estranged ex and an assassin who didn't know he wasn't under orders to kill her anymore, but when you didn't have a lot, you didn't get picky about resources you did have.]

This isn't where you've been hanging out the last year, is it?

[zen_en_vert]

No, I hate it here. Delight is a particularly invasive species of god. But she supplies coffee, and I run the clinic-

[He explains, as he rolls off his seat and comes over to join her, clutching what is definitely just water, patting the bag slung over his shoulder illustratively.]

-and the clinic runs on coffee. Unless you mean Hadriel in the abstract, in which case I've been trapped here for a year and two months. [And it shows. He looks like shit, looks worse than he did when she picked him up in India, even- old surveillance footage bad. Not as afraid as he was then, about a hundred times more calm, but it's the same kind of hard life.] When did you get here?

recon at the bar, a million days late

[devilsavocado]

[ Now that they've met in person, Matt knows exactly who Natasha Romanov is, sorry. Matt's not as much of a regular at the bar as say, Connor, but he spends enough time there to spot a an unfamiliar person. Not so unfamiliar, perhaps.

But judging by her demeanor, she must not remember him. Matt's kind of hard to forget. Woah, Matt, watch the ego. ]

Sure, go ahead. [ He smiles, turning towards her and not quite looking her way. Dark glasses at night, the white cane: yep, still blind. ] A scotch is better with company.

NEVER TOO LATE

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha smiles back, despite the fact she notes he can't see it. Still, it's in her voice when she responds, warm and a little smoky—not unlike scotch, actually.]

We agree on that then.

[A pause, then she adds:]

I'm Natasha.

[devilsavocado]

Nice to meet you, Natasha. I'm Matt.

[ He holds out his hand. He will not make the mistake of bad-mouthing the Avengers this time. ]

Are you new around here?

[ It's a small cave... ]