Intro Log: Don't Wake Tonberry

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for September
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: September 10th-13th
Warnings: Cute monsters, a way to pass the time, and plenty of newbies!

Waking up in Hadriel certainly has its down sides, but if this weird murdercave city is good at one thing, it's keeping people entertained. As you awaken on the hard ground of the colosseum, you might see a rectangular cardboard box lying near you. Ignore it for now, as you get your bearings, but if you get bored? Well, you'll find these exciting and unique board games will keep you entertained!

But how could you possibly get bored, when there are plenty of cute monsters around to keep you company? Sharing the colosseum with all the new arrivals are Tonberries. In addition to their natural cuteness defense, they also carry very large knives. They're slow-moving and look innocent and even friendly, but be careful - one strike from that knife and you'll be a bloody mess. They won't attack unless you get too close, but who doesn't want to hug a Tonberry? And of course, if you attack, they'll counter with extreme prejudice.

Managed to resist the urge to hug a Tonberry? Safely escaped from the clutches of the colosseum, new board game in tow? Awesome! 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 September 10th-13th.
► 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

Jill Valentine | OTA - will match format

[survivethis]

The Colliseum

I'll be fine. You have to stop him. Go!

That's what she told Chris moments ago. Then Jill watched as Chris and Sheva got into an elevator to follow Albert Wesker; they had to stop him before he released Oroboros across the world. Millions would die if he succeeded. Jill wanted to go with them, she really did. She wanted to pay Wesker back for the last three years of hell he'd put her through. Turning her into his science experiment. Using her body to craft his new, ultimate virus. Then making her into his mind controlled slave. She did such terrible, terrible things under his control. So many had died...

But she couldn't go with Chris. She didn't have the strength. The P30 drug injector was just ripped from her chest, leaving puncture wounds on her skin above her breast. She was free of it and its mind control effects, but after Chris and Sheva left, Jill couldn't pretend she was fine anymore. When she turned, the first few steps wobbled, her vision blurred, and she collapsed to the cold, stone ground of the castle. That's where she was, anyway, before this instant. The next time she opens her eyes the place looks kind of different.

Her eyes still have trouble focusing as she lifts her head. "Ch-Chris?" Jill groaned, closing her eyes as tight as she can to try and focus. Dammit. "What's going on?" The next time she opened her eyes it was to see a very strange sight. A little green creature slowly shuffling in her direction. She would've thought it cute if it weren't for the huge butcher knife in its hand. "Ugh... move..." Jill shook her head and pushed, trying to get up. C'mon, Valentine, get up!

Exploring the City

After getting out of the coliseum, no doubt with a bit of help, Jill's training kicked in and she went on reconnaissance. She needed to get her bearings, discover where she was, and learn more about this place. Clearly, it was full of dangers, so the more she knew the layout, the more prepared she'd be to deal with anything that came at her. After a couple of hours of walking around, she began to grow tired. And thirsty. And hungry. That's when she spotted one of the storefronts.

Jill went toward it, looking around at first to see if anyone worked there. "Hello?" When she received no response, she called again. "Hello? Anyone here?" Guess not. She didn't have any money, but she wasn't the type who liked to steal. Then again, she had scavenged plenty in the past when on a mission. It was required to restock on supplies and ammo at times when in the field. Perhaps this would be no different.

Seeing no other option, she looked through the things, some familiar, others foreign. She went for the the simplest and most familiar. A bottle of water. Quickly she opened it and began to drink, downing half of it at once. When she lowered it she gasped and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, then turned and took a startled step back at seeing someone there. "Oh, shit. Sorry, guess I'm kinda jumpy. It's been... a day." A hell of a day, to say the least.

Wildcard!

[Open to other starters!]

colosseum;

[hotspurred]

The sound of rapid steps accompanied by the clink of metal herald his approach, and Henry -- dressed from throat to toe in full plate armour and mail -- steps between her and the advancing creature, his heater shield held up in a defensive position and his sword drawn from its scabbard.

A brief glance backwards tells him that this woman is struggling to rise. He has one of Kate's healing cells tucked under his gauntlet, but it can only heal minor wounds.

"I will cover you; take your time. Are you hurt?"

His words are quick and to the point. His tone carries a natural sharp edge.

[survivethis]

The little green critter was unexpected. The new location was unexpected. And now a man was shielding her wearing full armor. This was turning into something she's not sure is even real. Or she'd doubt it, if she wasn't still experiencing so much pain from her ordeal before she got here.

"I'll be alright." Jill struggles but slowly begins to get to her feet. She's pale and looks like she's been in a fight. The most notable thing are the puncture wounds and pronounced veins on he chest.

"What are those things? Who are you?"

[hotspurred]

"Monsters of some sort. They were dragged here with you by The Door."

For now Henry stays put, remaining on the defensive while she recovers, but his impatience begins to stir. One could probably walk away from the creature without fear of being caught by it. He looks back to the woman.

With her on her feet, he sheathes his sword and lowers his shield, making a sound of disdain in his throat. He turns and takes a step towards her, keeping track of the plodding creature at the edge of his vision.

"Hmph. It seems scarcely a threat," he remarks, before introducing himself with a curt nod. "Henry Percy. Welcome to Hadriel -- a wretched city within a cave that we cannot escape. Every last one of us that you meet here was once in your predicament. Or perhaps I should say that you have joined ours. To your great misfortune."

She will need to know about the so-called gods and what she is in for, but further explanation can wait. His gaze flicks to her visible injuries. He grimaces. That does not look all right.

"There is a clinic opposite this colosseum. If you suffer poison, we should make for it with all haste."

It is the pronounced veins that make him draw that conclusion.

[survivethis]

"Never seen monsters move that slow." And she thought zombies moved at a snail's pace when they first transformed. These things aren't going to turn into crimson heads too, are they? She'd rather not find out. It's hard to believe they could be dangerous, but she'll bet the man is wearing a full suit of armor for a reason.

Jill looks down at her chest, knowing the sight can't be pretty. "I was injected with a drug. It should wear off with time, but getting it checked out couldn't hurt." No doubt she'd have it looked at by someone on the BSAA's medical team anyway as soon as she got back to a base if she were still in her own world.

"Lead the way."

[hotspurred]

It sounds as though she has been through an ordeal. But now seems a poor time to ask about it.

"Very well."

Henry wastes no time in setting off for the exit. The confidence with which he directs them is proof that he has been in Hadriel for some time. He clearly knows where he is going. As he leads the way, he talks.

"What is your name? There is much that you must know about this city and its so-called gods. I shall tell you what I can. Should you have any questions, I will attempt to answer them."

[survivethis]

Though she might still be a little unsteady, she doesn't ask for help, confident she can walk on her own. Had she slept longer, she'd be fit enough to fight if her life depending on it.

She can tell he's very familiar with this place. It makes her wonder how long he's been here.

"Jill Valentine. I'm with the BSAA. Though that might not mean anything to you." Probably not. He doesn't look like he comes from anywhere she's been before. More like he's from another time all-together.

"Tell me everything there is to know. I want all the intel I can get."

[hotspurred]

"I fear not. Are you from Earth? 'Tis likely that I am from hundreds of years before your time."

He is quiet for a moment as he decides how best to fill her in. Finally, he begins to speak.

"Hadriel is reigned over by so-called gods. To begin with there were just two: Hope and Fear. Fear is the reason that you and I are here: he awoke a relic known as The Door. It is The Door which drags people to this city. According to Hope, none of their kind currently living knows how to control The Door. Hope has the ability to resurrect others; he is using his power to revive their fellow gods."

The displeasure in his voice grows as he moves on to their role in this mess.

"We are the source of their power. More precisely, they gorge upon our emotions. Which depends on their name: Hope feeds on our hope, Fear our fear. Thus far, Rage, Delight and Sorrow have all been revived. The gods actively seek to inspire certain sentiments in us. They care not if it is against our will. The beings who once served in our stead -- the former residents of this ruinous cavern -- were annihilated when most of the gods were killed. By what, and for what reason, the living gods refuse to say."

[survivethis]

"Yes, I'm from Earth." So there are people here not from Earth. Given the creature with the butcher knife she just saw, she supposes it could've been a little green alien or something. This situation was getting bigger and bigger.

She listens to the information he gives her, and if she weren't standing in it, she'd doubt it was even true. "This is a lot different than what I'm used to dealing with." The gods part, anyway. Her training and experiences have prepared her for many things, but not quite something like this.

[hotspurred]

"One adjusts," Henry replies, with a wry half-smile.

That is where they all begin: out of their element.

"If you mind not my asking, what are you used to? I see that you are armed and wear practical attire."

She reminds him a little of Maketh, in fact, and that is promising. It was not so long ago that he and Nick discussed the Guard's need for new members after their losses. Jill may well be a candidate.

Exploring

[knifecollecting]

[Jo didn't hear the other woman until she was moving towards the front of the shop again and saw her drinking from a water bottle.

She clears her throat, hoping not to scare the other person too much.]

"It's okay. Did you just get here?" Shit, was it new person day already? She should head for the colosseum.

[survivethis]

[Jill is surprised to see the woman there and nods at the question.]

Yeah. [Her voice cracks a bit until she clears it and nods again.] Yeah, I did.

Is this your place?

[Meaning the shop where she just helped herself to.]

[knifecollecting]

I didn't mean to sneak up on you. [Jo smiles easily, wanting to set the other woman at ease.]

No one really owns the shops.

[survivethis]

[The smile does the trick, and it looks like Jo doesn't mean any harm, so Jill relaxes.]

Then where does the stuff come from?

[knifecollecting]

I think Hope and the other gods bring stuff in for us.

[survivethis]

How generous of them.

[Definitely a bit of sarcasm there.]

I'm Jill, by the way.

[knifecollecting]

Yeah. [She shrugs.]

I'm Jo. Are you new, Jill?

[survivethis]

Yeah, just got here today.

[But she knows some have been here for awhile.]

How long have you been here?

[Long enough to know how this place works, it would seem.]

[knifecollecting]

I just got here last month. [But she's learned things. She isn't one to just sit around and not learn things.]

Welcome to the cave.

@ exploring

[krasnayapautina]

Natasha has been here for about a month -- this is the first batch of newer arrivals since her arrival here. She's good at being quiet and unnoticed when she needs or wants to be, but when she was by someone who clearly wasn't expecting to see her there, she held out her hands slightly as if to say 'I'm no threat'. "It's okay." More importantly, though, is her next question-- "Are you okay?"

Re: @ exploring

[survivethis]

Jill could see the woman didn't mean her any harm and nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I'm alright."

She says that but she doesn't entirely look it. She's a bit pale and there are puncture wounds on her chest, surrounded by pronounced veins. Clearly, she's been through a lot.

"You don't really look like a clerk, so I'm guessing this shop isn't yours."

[krasnayapautina]

She won't even question that and call her out on that -- Natasha has been in almost equal conditions before but would have sworn to anyone who asked that she was fine. Because she's tough and stubborn like that. Apparently this woman is too, which she can obviously relate to.

"Definitely not a clerk." She confirms. "Natasha Romanoff. I've been in this place for around a month. How long have you been here?"

[survivethis]

If asked, Jill would say she's fine, too. They have that in common.

"It's my first day. Not sure how it's going, but... I guess it could be worse."

[krasnayapautina]

"That's better than being screwed from the start." Uncertainty could also be pretty bad, but she doesn't have to say that. "As long as you can handle pretty much constant curveballs, you'll be okay here. And you seem like you're the kind of person who can." She's used to analyzing people quickly, and the other woman had handled herself a lot better than many would at the fact of being startled by someone nearby.

[survivethis]

That gets a little smile out of Jill. "Thanks. I'm used to having to think on my feet, that's for sure." Given that she sometimes can't predict what's around every corner.