Intro Log: Rock This City

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for January
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: January 10th-14th
Warnings: New folks, rockin' dudes made of rock, and collectible friends!

This time, it's different.

There's no cave, no stone walls looming up around you and overhead, no stifling air or artificial light- not that you'd appreciate it, seeing as to how you've probably never been here before. And still, when you land facefirst on the dirt ground of the colosseum, you may not quite appreciate all the improvements and steps we've had to take to get here- after all, you're still surrounded by strangers in a crumbling city on an alien planet in the middle of nowhere.

Oh, and you're being attacked by Earth Elementals. These creatures are tall, between seven to ten feet, and made of solid rock, capable of punching through all the squishy bits of you- and for whatever reason, they definitely want to start punching. They're incredibly strong and, seeing as to how they're enchanted alive and have no internal organs, they're very difficult to kill.

But don't let that scare you off. For all the collectors in you, you can also find a very special array of beanie babies all scattered at the ground at your feet. Do you know that some of these things will be worth a lot of money someday? Better find the rarest one and stockpile it while you can! You might run into the rainbow crab, the platypus, or the sought-after bald eagle, or many more! Be sure to never take the tag off and never ever let anyone play with them so they don't lose value.

Once you've got your kids' college fund squared away, it's time to start exploring! You can 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 January 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

[evocation]

[She goes quiet for a moment, just absorbing that. It's easy to imagine how upset she'd be if their positions were reversed, and she doubts he actually opened up to anyone about it while she wasn't here.]

I'm sorry.

[It wasn't her fault, of course, but she's sorry he went through it anyway.]

Can you just... take your helmet off for a second?

[It's too weird talking to him about something this sensitive when she can't actually see him.]

[hardwearing]

[ She's right on that count -- he didn't open up. He didn't withdraw specifically because he knew she wouldn't want him to, but he didn't talk to anyone about the actual problem, either.

And then Kyna asks him to take his helmet off. ]

...don't freak out.

[ He lifts his hands to his head, pulling the helmet off with only a brief hesitation. It's clear he hasn't slept, which isn't a surprise. What might be is that he's obviously been fighting, he's got a split lip and bruises across one cheek and the opposite side of his jaw. Nothing too bad since it was just from sparring, but accidents happen. ]

[evocation]

[Whether or not she manages that depends on his definition of "freaking out". She doesn't gasp, at least, but her eyes go wide.]

Jesus. What the hell happened?

[hardwearing]

[ You left, Kyna. He's covered this. Wash lets his helmet dangle from his fingertips and shrugs uncomfortably. ]

I made some new friends.

[evocation]

[Kyna frowns, reaching up to touch his chin so that she can turn his head gently and inspect the damage.]

Friends, huh? Like who?

[hardwearing]

[ He's fine!!! Seriously, this is nothing, but he lets Kyna examine him anyway. ]

I asked for sparring partners who wouldn't hold back.

[evocation]

[Yeah, she's going to fuss, and she's not even going to be subtle about it.]

Why? Did you want someone to kick the shit out of you?

[hardwearing]

[ Look, he admitted to not dealing well already. It was not a great plan, he's aware. ]

...I just wanted to feel something else.

[evocation]

[Oh. Well, that's heartbreaking. Kyna lets out a breath, then cups his cheek softly, standing up on her tiptoes as her voice goes quiet.]

Come here.

[hardwearing]

[ Wash leans down, aiming to press their foreheads together since he can't hold her in armor. They'll get back to one of their places eventually but for now... it has to be enough. ]

[evocation]

[Kyna loops her arms around his neck to keep him close. She just needs this for a few seconds, and then they can go.]

We're okay, right?

[hardwearing]

I think we will be.

[ She's being patient with him, at least, which is all he really needs. The hand that isn't holding his helmet comes up to settle on her back gently. ]

Even if it does make me a selfish jerk... I'm glad you're here.

[evocation]

[She smiles, just a bit hesitantlh.]

I'm glad you're here, too. I'm sorry I scared you.

[hardwearing]

Let's go back to your place, you can catch me up on the past year. I missed another birthday, huh?

[evocation]

No.

[She steals a kiss, then pulls away.]

It was July when I left, so I've got another month. Uh... Want to meet my brother's dog?

[hardwearing]

[ ....oh really? Well he's definitely going to throw her a birthday party, now. Or try to. They'll see how that goes.

Wait what. ]

Your brother's dog..?

[evocation]

I was pet sitting and he showed up with me, so I dropped him back off at my place and then came back here to help out. He's, uh... kind of dumb.

[hardwearing]

Sure, I'll meet him.

[evocation]

Cool.

[She takes his hand again and starts to lead the way towards her apartment.]

Who were you fighting, anyway?

[hardwearing]

[ She won't like the answer to that, so Wash hedges, squeezing her hand. ]

Does it matter?

[evocation]

I guess not, but you're being cagey.

[hardwearing]

I got to try using a sword?

[evocation]

See what I mean? Cagey.

[hardwearing]

I took every offer I got, that's all. It's not a big deal.

[evocation]

[She's not sure she buys that, but she doesn't feel like pushing, so as they reach the spire and start up the stairs, she just shrugs.]

Okay. Do you even have swords in space?