Intro Log: Death Comes

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for July.
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: July 10th-15th
Warnings: Deathclaws. That's all you really need to know.

As usual, the new arrivals in Hadriel will be waking up on the dirt ground of the colosseum, and as usual, they won't be waking up alone. This month brings coat hangers of all shapes and, uh, sizes strewn about the colloseum floor around all of the new arrivals.

Get up, get out, meet and greet, find some new exciting interior decorating options, but don't forget about the more prominent threat: the (newly) local deathclaws roaming about in the inner halls of the arena. These deathclaws are vicious bipedal creatures with long arms ending in curved talons, horns ripe for goring and, of course, teeth as long as fingers. These animals have been engineered to be as deadly as they can possibly be, so you might want to buddy up before taking one on.

Have you escaped from the deathclaws? Made a few friends? Not died horribly? Great! Feel free to go explore the rest of the city! Find a house, find a new monster, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers July 10th-15th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

hannah washington | ota

[wendigoner]

[ She doesn't hit the ground. Doesn't hit icy-covered rocks, points on points, spikes of deadly sharpness that had been waiting for the twins as they fell from the cliff's edge. Hannah feels Beth's grip slipping from the ledge above them and her mind goes blank with panic, with the knowledge that there's literally nothing she can do to prevent them from falling, not if her sister has lost hold. Hannah squeezes her eyes tight and braces herself, feeling a shock of fear and anguish when Beth's hand slips from her own. Feeling... falling through the air for much longer than she expected and chalking it up to the extended moment before a nasty injury, because that's what this would be: a nasty injury. A long trip to the hospital. She could never, ever have guessed death, wouldn't even think that the lives of two nice, normal girls could come to something so nasty and gruesome at the beginning of what was meant to be a perfect weekend.

She doesn't have time to reflect on the unfairness of it all before she realizes she's already hit the ground.

Hannah Washington doesn't move for a long time, reeling from what had just happened and confused as to how she'd made impact without feeling it. She doesn't feel much pain at all, she notices, as she slowly shifts. The heavy, pink jacket that Beth had wrapped around her is still there, still on. Still keeping her warm. ]

--Beth? Beth! [ Her eyes shoot open at a sharper remembrance of what had happened and she begins to move, to pull herself to a sitting position. There's no answer from her twin, but there are... sounds. Distant voices, some chatter, and... growls. Strange, animalistic shouts. The animal from the woods is still here and she's in the caves, of course.

Hannah scrambles to her feet, eyes wide, checking the glasses on her face. Still unbroken, good. Her breaths come slowly, as she tries to keep them under control, but her heart is pounding. Whatever that thing was, it'd been followed by... that stranger. The man with the flamethrower. If the bear, or whatever it was, was still out there, then so was he, probably. ]

Hello? [ She calls shakily, hoping desperately for her sister's reply (who else would be in this cave?). When there isn't one, she begins trying to find her way out, noting the strange structure of wherever she'd fallen, how it looked almost man-made. Hannah frowns, confused, but knows she can't afford to think about it now if she and Beth are in danger. I have to find her. We have to get back to the lodge.

She doesn't notice at all the stranger hangars on the ground. ]

[somuchlove]

Greetings.

[The child's voice comes from behind Hannah, calm despite the situation. Chara had stumbled on the human girl while walking around trying to find an exit. They had noticed her panic and decided to observe her before speaking up. One thing they noticed was that there were many different types of humans or otherwise in this place and thought it would be best if they got to know them all before anything happened.

They're also not sorry if they startle her.]

[wendigoner]

Jesus. [ Hannah whips around at the voice, grasping at the front of her coat. Chara does startle her and Hannah steps back once or twice, instinctively. ]

What... are you doing down here? [ She asks, after she finds her voice, still keeping her distance. How could a kid end up all the way... wherever they are? ] Um-- Are you okay?

[somuchlove]

[They try to school their smile into something a bit more friendly. Something a child would wear.]

I do not know. Many people have come here that don't know, it seems.

[Chara looks down at their knife before looking back up at Hannah.]

I am fine. Are you?

[wendigoner]

"Many people?" [ She frowns intently, glancing past the child and around at the coliseum, trying valiantly (and failing) to ignore the gnawing sense of wrong. ] How... did they all get down here?

[ It doesn't matter. Their 'friends' will come get them out soon. She just has to find Beth, to keep moving-- ]

No. [ Hannah answers, voice fearful. ] I need to find my sister. Have you seen another girl down here? One who looks like me?

[thechoiceisyours]

[Chris picked a really bad month to dare venturing into the colosseum.

He doesn't usually enter it, but he's been feeling more and more guilty about that fact lately; the people arriving don't know what's going on and they're often trapped with monsters, which at least some of them aren't equipped to deal with. It's awful to just leave them to survive the initial arrival to Hadriel all alone without trying to do something, except that until very recently Chris hasn't exactly been all too confident about his ability to do said something.

Paradoxically, almost, dying the month before had eliminated some fears; it's no longer a terrifying unknown, and while the experience had been one he has absolutely no intention of repeating that's because dying hurts and because it really upset his friends rather than because death is ultimately any worse than other things he's dealt with here or at home.

But, that said, he wasn't expecting anything like the Deathclaws. It's probably a miracle he makes it into the arena at all, revolver held tightly in shaking hands, having evaded one of the things in the tunnels on the way in. He's seriously regretting his decision to do this, but is also trying to remind himself it's worth it if he can help someone who's just arrived.

Any hesitation he had about that is immediately eliminated when he sees Hannah, and he's frozen several seconds as it sinks in that it really is her. He knew it was a possibility--distantly, as a theoretical idea--because of how people come in from different times, but he'd never once thought he'd actually see one of the twins again.]

H-Hannah!

[His voice is shaky, and he's doesn't think until he's already called her name that they should probably be being quiet, but it's Hannah.]

[wendigoner]

[ She hears her name and it's a relief, but it's a guy's voice. Hannah looks around, trying to keep things... under control, and then she spots-- ]

Chris? [ Hadn't he just been dead drunk, passed out on the counter with Josh? Without knowing the extend of the thread, but knowing that something nearby is a possible threat to them, she quickly approaches her friend and grabs tight to his arm. ]

I... have no idea what's going on. [ She admits, wide-eyed, hoping he has at least some answers. She doesn't have time for the shame of the prank at the moment, but it'll come. Once the danger has passed. ] But something is here, some thing was chasing me and Beth. I'm not sure what it is, but I think I just heard it nearby!

[ She doesn't yet notice that he looks a little different than when she'd last seen him. That there's something altogether different about the easygoing-Chris' demeanor. ]

[thechoiceisyours]

[It's really Hannah, just as he remembers the last time he saw her except that she's wearing Beth's pink coat, and for a moment it's just so overwhelming to see her here and talking to him and alive. He really wants to hug her or cry or probably both, but this is entirely not the time.

So he takes a deep breath, focuses on the goal--get them both out of here and back to the house--and responds quietly and quickly.]

I know, it's okay; I-It's gonna sound crazy if I explain, so just... S-Stay close.

[Step one, get out of the arena, which means going back through the tunnels where those monsters are. Maybe they can just avoid them like he managed to getting in, but if not then he really hopes they're not the type of monster where shooting them is completely useless.]

T-The way out's through these tunnels. We're gonna stick to the walls and be really quiet, okay?

[wendigoner]

It's already crazy. [ She mutters, but obeys, standing close to him and showing willingness to listen and follow, for now. ] ... Okay. Okay, I'm... with you.

[ Jesus. What else can she do? ]

No, wait-- [ Shit-- ] Chris, we have to find Beth. She fell down here with me. We were...

[ Hannah bites her lip, expression quickly becoming overwhelmed. There's just so much that's unclear, but the sense of panic is still so strong. ]

I won't leave without her. [ She says in a final sort of way. ]

outside the colosseum okok

[unfollowing]

[Another month, another batch of poor fucks pulled in here by the Door, another month of no Matt. Why does Emily even bother anymore? If this place is supposed to pull in assholes, then Matt is never going to show up here.

But then again, Hannah shouldn't be here either. Sure, she'd been creepy obsessive about Mike, but she'd just been stupid, not an asshole. There's a difference that the Door obviously doesn't get and holy shit Hannah is here holy fucking shit.]

Hannah! [Against her every good instinct, Emily jogs to her as she emerges from the colosseum.] Han! Oh my god. Are you okay? [What the fuck kind of monsters did she face in there? Jesus shit.]

[wendigoner]

[ She barely makes it out. Somehow, the animal, or whatever it was, hadn't run into her yet. The teen stumbles out, looking terrified, looking over her shoulder, and almost bumps into a familiar face. ]

Emily? [ If everything else weren't going on, she'd have a different reaction. She'd bring up the prank and all the shitty emotions that came because of it. Her expression is clouded, but she can't afford to be petty, not when her absolute confusion is so strong. ] No, I'm-- I can't find Beth, I don't know what's going on, I--

[ She swallows, looks over the other girl. Was she wearing that before? ]

How did you get down here? [ She asks on a whisper. ] Did you see it, too? The... thing in the woods?

[unfollowing]

[Okay wow. Hannah... Hannah doesn't know about what happened. And now is about the worst time to tell her, because she just faced god only knows what monsters in there, and it's just. If it were anyone else, Emily would give them the basics and leave them, but this is Hannah, and she is so sorry for what she did to her, and she's pretty sure Josh is gonna freak even if he's happy to see her, and the best thing Emily can do for her now is take her back to the house, where it'll be safe for a few days.

Most importantly, though, the others will be there, and maybe one of them can tell her what happened.]

Beth's not here. Come on, we have to get out of here. I'll explain later.

[No she won't.

Not waiting for an answer, she grabs Hannah by the wrist and starts the walk back to the house.]

[wendigoner]

[ If something really bad had happened to Beth, she knows Emily would be more upset. Emily, cool under pressure, but very smart. If Beth were really hurt, Emily wouldn't be so calm, right?

As usual, she follows where the other girl leads. Emily takes her wrist and Hannah plods along obediently, adjusting her glasses, frowning into the shadows of... wherever this is. So, they'd fallen, maybe she'd gotten knocked out, and the others had come chasing after the twins to help them back up. She assumes Beth is just somewhere nearby with the others, because she knows her sister wouldn't just leave her lying there, alone. ]

[pighead]

[Josh visits the colosseum each month. It's not because he's a particularly helpful person - he isn't. It's because he doesn't really care that much about his own personal safety, and he's hoping to find someone he recognizes. A friend would be fine, of course, Mike or Matt or Jessica. But that isn't who he goes there for, not really.

He doesn't expect to actually find Hannah. He's come every month, knowing that it would be impossible for her or Beth to appear, but unable to stop himself. So at first he doesn't understand what he's hearing. He recognizes her voice, of course, but - it's impossible. It has to be impossible.

It isn't. He catches sight of her, and whoever else might be in the arena stops mattering. Josh runs, and he does not bother to stop and ask permission before reaching out to catch her in a tight hug.]

Hannah!

[wendigoner]

[ She barely realizes what's happening before someone runs at her, and Hannah sort of yelps in surprise and fear before she processes it. ]

Josh? [ Instinctively, she returns the hug, eyes wide and mind struggling to process. Of course he'd chased after her - them. Of course he'd run out into the woods to try and save his little sisters.

She squeezes him reassuringly. I'm here, you're here. We're gonna be okay. ]

You fell down here, too. [ Not a question, but a sympathetic statement. ] Josh, it isn't just me. Beth found me, she fell down here, too. Maybe... she went looking for a way back up? For some help?

[ They'd fallen together, so her twin has to be nearby. Beth wouldn't leave her for long, not after what happened. ]

[pighead]

[She's alive. She's real. She's warm and living and talking to him, and Josh wants to cry or scream. He'd worried for a moment that he'd imagined her, but that's impossible.

He doesn't know what to say, how to start. If he even should. But the basics... maybe that's all right.]

She's not here. Or I haven't seen her, anyway. This is someplace else - it's not the mountain.

[That's safe. It's true, and it's not treading on any of the ground that Josh instinctively flinches from. He pulls back, looks her over.]

Are you okay? You're not hurt?

[She looks pretty much okay, not - not the way she'd look if she'd fallen. If it had happened.]

[whichend]

[ There's a small, solemn child not far from Hannah who's inspecting the coat hangers. Or rather, dissecting the coat hangers. Arya has never seen imitation limbs before, and they fascinate her. She's not entirely sure what the point of all this is, besides scaring people. Although for Fear, that's probably enough.

Arya holds feet up to the light, cuts open a hand, tosses half a leg -- all in the name of curiosity, the kind that could be pure and childlike, maybe, if you squinted.

She turns her gaze towards the voice, checking to see if there's a danger. There's probably none. Just the scared girl over there. ]

I doubt she's here, you know.

[wendigoner]

[ The new voice has her jump and she backs up, stumbling, trying to make herself smaller. But... it's a little girl, one eerily serious and calm and staring at her. ]

What? [ Her heart pounds and her voice wavers with fear, the fear that what this girl says is true. ] How do you know? [ beat ] Why are you down here? No one else lives on the mountain--

[ They aren't supposed to, anyway. Could she be related to the guy with the flamethrower? The guy who'd hassled their family for years? ]

[whichend]

[ Arya puts down her work, as a show of politeness. The other girl is clearly afraid. Arya can chop up fake limbs later. ]

Blind Beth is gone. I know because I can see you.

[ Arya looks the girl right in the eye, her gaze strong and unwavering. ]

This is no mountain. You're being silly. This is a cave. Look, there's no sky.

UD House | lmk if anything needs changed!

[cowardley]

[ It's that day again: the day the new arrivals come in, and her friends quietly leave the familiar safety of their home. Every single time, she wants to urge them to stay in this time around. It's not often anyone they know personally comes in, and, if they did, Ash believes each one would wind up on the network at some point, and then... and then that would mean leaving people they care about, people she should want to protect, alone to the horrors of this place.

That would be cruel.

So, Ashley keeps her selfish desires to herself. She watches her friends leave the house one by one, and keeps her teeth tightly together to keep from begging them to stay with her. And then, some time later into the day, the door opens. It doesn't matter who brings Hannah in, just that, without any warning, her friend thought long dead was in the house.

She blinks. The other girl looks just like she did the day of the prank, save for the addition of Beth's bright pink jacket. It's funny, Ashley realizes, how much she'd forgotten about her friend in almost two years time, despite the pictures plastered everywhere. ]

Oh my gosh. [ There is no avoiding it. Ashley barrels into the other girl, wrapping her arms around her in the tightest bear-hug she can manage. ] Hannah.

[wendigoner]

[ It still feels like a weird dream. As she steps over the threshold and into a house (albeit a weird one, architecturally, which fits the general theme of weird), Hannah is distracted enough to not notice Ashley until she's caught in a hug. At first, she's stiff, still confused and mildly distressed, but-- ]

Hey, Ash. [ Comes the weak response, and she finally returns the gesture, though with less intensity than the other girl. ] You're here, too?

[ A question, but with an obvious answer. Chris, Ashley, Josh, Emily. Beth? Sam? Mike? ]

[cowardley]

[ It's hard to get the thoughts in her head in order. The moment she hears Hannah's voice, she can only remember the last moment they'd had together, and how betrayed and hurt she'd sounded then. She should never have agreed to the prank, she should have listened to Sam. They should have gone to look for her sooner.

Oh god.

Ashley takes several moments to pull back, to finally find her own voice. It wavers on like she's about to cry, green eyes glistening, but she holds it back. She never thought she'd see her friend again. ]

I-I, oh gosh, Hannah. [ There are so many words in her throat—a veritable novel made up of apologies, explanations, and excuses, but she swallows all of them back. She sucks in a breath as she looks at the other girl. She never deserved the future she got. ]

I, uhm, yeah, I'm here. It's just me, Chris, J-Josh, and Em. Sam, Jess, and Mike used to... [ but her voice fails her. They're gone now, no longer here. ]

[hollowly]

Hey - ( he calls out when he hears her, quietly in response, so as not to startle her more than she already seems to be. another newcomer, that much is abundantly clear, in the frantic manner of her gaze and the uncertainty of every step she takes. they all look like that at first, at least the ones with any amount of sense, and he can only think to help them acclimate as best they can, to the best of his ability.

he holds out a hand in her direction in hopes of catching her attention, just in case she hasn't already seen his giant moose form him in the distance. ) Did you just wake up?

( he realizes, before the words are fully out of his mouth that it's a moot question, but sometimes the easiest way to initiate conversation is to comment or question the obvious. break the ice, so to speak. keep things neutral. )

[wendigoner]

[ That is a big guy. Hannah immediately takes a few steps backward, heart pounding as he calls out. The flamethrower guy? But... he doesn't look the same, isn't dressed the same. He's built differently.

What's he doing here? ]

... Yeah. [ Comes the hesitant, wary response. Hannah keeps her distance, eyeing Sam like a hawk. ] I fell down here. But I'm fine.

[ Not hurt in any way she can see, sharp enough to be suspicious of friendly-seeming strangers on a private mountain. ]

What are you doing here?

i'm so sorry if the moose scares you, hannah. ;;

[hollowly]

( he doesn't blame her at all for being hesitant, for being wary. once he figures out just where she's come from - he's heard enough from chris in the past to piece together just what his group had been through before they'd woken up here - he really won't blame her, but as it stands?

waking up in unfamiliar territory is jarring enough. and she more than has the deer-in-the-headlights look about her. he doesn't want to make things worse. ) You didn't fall, I guarantee you. ( he realizes how ludicrous he must sound, but he's so sure of himself that there has to be some truth to it. maybe she'll think that here is. ) There's only one way into the city, and that's through the Door. You were brought here.

( he gives the smallest shrug in a roll of his shoulder, and absently rubs at the back of his neck. ) Sometimes I come down here when it's time for the new arrivals to come through. See if I can help. ( a beat. ) My name's Sam.