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

[outstandingbalance]

[For one, Natasha might have to believe it.]

That depends, doesn't it?

[She crosses her arms over her chest.]

It means that even if Steve were here, he wouldn't have remembered me. And if you change your mind about your orders, that gets pretty complicated from where I'm standing.

[And if he's not trying to kill her, that could make Barnes a resource. That didn't exactly uncomplicate things.]

[wipedclean]

[He shifts, irritated, but not by her. More by thinking about his orders.]

I don't want to follow those orders. I don't want to follow any Hydra orders again. But. [He swallows hard.] If they show up I won't have a choice.

[outstandingbalance]

But they're not here now.

[That much is obvious. And lucky.

Her attention stays on him, unwavering as she considers how to respond to that—or if she even should.

She does know that Barnes went two years without drawing attention when he was given the chance. Then... well, like he said.]

What do you think the chances of that are?

[wipedclean]

[He's silent for a long moment, not looking at her.]

Pierce was here.

[It's a quiet confession.]

Only for a day. But. He could come back. Or Zola, or Rumlow or...

[He stops himself before he works himself up into hysterics. Those kinds of emotions won't help now. He swallows it back. Fights it down.]

[outstandingbalance]

Hey... [She pitches her voice low, not entirely sure how to deescalate the Winter Soldier. But just now, they have a shared interest in him not being in HYDRA's control.

Easier to focus on that very rational angle than on stickier topics.]

You know, you're not alone here. Maybe if Rumlow or Pierce show up&mdash[back from the dead]—they might try to take control of you again, but they won't have the resources they're used to.

[She lets that sink in. Natasha doesn't know how much he knows about her, what he remembers, what he might have been briefed on, but he should know at least some of what she's capable of. Gives him the time to realize she has some very unaltruistic reasons for the offer she's about to imply.]

Between an aging politician and me? I like my odds.

[wipedclean]

[He eyes her warily, but eventually he nods stiffly. He's not entirely sure Natasha understands how much control HYDRA has over him, but... well. Having an ally against them is... comforting.]

Okay.

[outstandingbalance]

[She knows enough to prefer not fight him again. All things considered, this makes the most sense.]

Sounds like we have a deal.

[wipedclean]

[His brow furrows.]

What deal? You didn't ask anything from me.

[outstandingbalance]

You don't really have to. Not having you in HYDRA's hands is a good trade.

[She cocks her head and adds in a dry voice:] Though if you want to just keep on not trying to finish your mission as long as you have a choice in it, I wouldn't exactly say no.

[wipedclean]

[He snorts, and he nods.]

That's fair.

[outstandingbalance]

Like I said, a deal.

[Not a bad one either. All things considered.]