INTRO LOG: A TAXING JOURNEY

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for December. Watch your step!
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: December 10th-17th
Warnings: Taxxon-related violence, teeth shoes, general unpleasantness, mass confusion.

You wake up in the dust of the colosseum with no shoes on, regardless of the state of your feet when you arrived. There's dust covering your clothing and in your hair, but other than that, there's no signs of injury or bruising. You're also not alone- nearby, there are others, either still passed out or just waking up like you are. Feel free to take solace in that fact. Or don't- some of you aren't human, and are clearly not great people either. No offense.

To your left, there is a door in the wall of the arena, supposedly leading to the halls which will then show you to your freedom. To your right, and scattered haphazardly on the ground, are a myriad of teeth shoes. These shoes might be better than going barefoot right now, but good luck finding a matching set, let alone one that fits you.

When you do eventually try to escape, be careful. The halls are crawling with Taxxons. Large and grotesque, these caterpillar-like creatures have circular mouths and multiple rows of sharp teeth. Their sense of smell is impeccable, and they will stop at nothing to feed when they scent blood. So, you know, try to avoid stepping on anything sharp on your way out.

All done with the horrible monsters and awkward greetings? Try your hand at exploring the rest of the city! Find a house, find a new monster, or simply scavenge for supplies until your little heart is content. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers December 10th-17th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well!
► Characters may find their own shoes scattered around with the teeth shoes if you like.
► All characters now arrive with phones that have network communication.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

c.

[whichend]

[ Arya hasn't seen many children here. There were two other young ones, in the early days, but Arya suspects they're dead. She hasn't seen them in over two months. She isn't surprised, though. Most children are weak.

This child looks weak, too. Their eyes are so wide; they look so lost. Arya doesn't think it's a lie -- this child has "new blood" written all over her. Arya would be quick to dismiss this girl, except there's something very, very interesting strapped to the stranger's back.

This girl is armed. Well, at least she's doing one thing right.

Arya stands at the opposite end of the street, sword drawn. She isn't close enough for melee combat, but she's prepared, should it come to that. ]

You must make your own weapons here. The gods will not give us any until they resurrect Rage.

[ She says, matter-of-fact. ]

[leprotto]

[Seeing a young girl here is a little less shocking to Triela than one might think — she's more comfortable around people that age than she is with anyone else. On the other hand, she's not used to socializing with "normal" children...

...Though a child with a sword could hardly be called normal. Triela frowns, instantly losing her sad atmosphere.]

Yeah? Did you make that sword, then? [she asks, too close to irritable, before blushing at herself, embarrassed by her own snappishness. She doesn't really understand all this about gods or whatever — doesn't really believe in any god she's learned of — but she likes kids, and is put out with herself for speaking even a little harshly towards one. Get it together, she tells herself.]

Wow. Sorry. I... Um, do you know where I can find, maybe, rock salt, in that case?

[whichend]

A girl's brother did.

[ Arya retorts, sharply. Needle's all she's got left of home, of family. She isn't going to let someone talk down to her about Needle, not even another 12-year old girl. Arya hasn't talked to anyone her age for a long, long time, and to be honest, she's practically forgotten how. She knows she can come off as unlikable, but she just doesn't care. ]

There's a beach. You could try that. There are all kinds of rocks by she shoreline. [ She's cold, but it's not personal against the other girl. She just doesn't trust easily. Perhaps the other girl can understand. ]

[leprotto]

[A brother, huh... Triela smiles, equal parts sad, bitter, and fond. It's good for a kid to have a brother, especially one who gives her gifts and keeps her protected. Triela can't help but wonder if this girl is like her — is it normal for brothers to arm their little sisters? She doesn't really know, but probably not. So, maybe in order to try and warm that coldness up a little, Triela says,] My brother gave this to me, too. [She hefts the shotgun and looks at it with real love in her eyes, before glancing back up at the girl before her.] You don't really see a lot of swords these days, though...

Uh, thanks, though. I guess I could give it a shot. Better to try than not, right?

[whichend]

[ Her brother is dead. They're all dead. Jon was sent to the Wall, Robb was slain at his wedding, and Theon Turncloak killed Bran and Rickon. And even if they were alive, they wouldn't be her brothers. She is no one, merely a servant of the Many-Faced God, and has no home. No family.

Her heart twists despite herself, though, when the other girl shows Arya her weapon. The other girl still has a family, somewhere, and Arya hopes that the girl doesn't lose it. ]

Take care of your weapon, then, because it's your home when you no longer have one.

[ All anyone can do is try. ]

Do you know where the beach is? I can show you.

[leprotto]

I think that's good advice, [Triela says, with a real smile. She feels the expression more than she has during any of the rest of her day here so far. Yeah, a girl with a brother and a weapon is someone she can deal with, even if everything else is daunting.

The offer, too, feels good. Being alone here has been... uncomfortable...] I don't know where it is. I haven't been around much yet... If you have the time, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm Triela, by the way. These are bad circumstances, but it's nice to meet you.

[whichend]

[ Arya doesn't smile back, but her gaze softens. She doesn't trust the girl, but she doesn't see her as much of a threat, either. At least, not right now. Arya thinks she might be a good person, maybe. ]

I have the time. It's important to be armed at all times; to be as safe as possible. Everything else comes after that.

[ Arya turns, and starts off in the direction of the lake. Triela. It's a strange-sounding name, but Arya likes it. There's a certain cadence that she can appreciate. ]

Nymeria.

[ It's not technically her name, because she's not supposed to have one anymore. But it's what the people of this city call her, so Triela can call her that too, if she likes. ]

It's nicer here than lots of other places. [ The people, for one, are kinder. This is far better than Westeros. ]