INTRO EVENT ;; OPEN

[nosotros]

Who: Everyone!
Where: All over the city!
When: June 19th
Summary: The newcomers to El Sera have arrived.
Rating: PG-13ish, likely!

For everyone who arrives in El Sera that day, it's the same. Whoever the newcomer might be, when he opens his eyes, he's alone in a calm quiet room. In front of him is a box. In his hand is a letter:

Hello. I'm sure you've got a lot of questions, so I'll do my best to answer them.

To start, you aren't on your home world anymore. You're in a city called El Sera, in a country called America, on a planet called Earth. A lot of you might recognize the name Earth, and you might even be from it, but if you're reading this then I can promise you one thing--this isn't the Earth you're thinking of.

Magic exists in this world, and that magic is what pulled you here. It's given you magic of your own, if you didn't already have it, and the ability to defend yourself from the monsters that inhabit this world. I want to ask you to take a more proactive role in fighting these creatures and do more than just defend yourself, but I'm a transplant from another world myself. I understand some of what you're going through and I won't force you into it, but it makes it easier for us -- Xochipilli -- to find a way to send you home.

Whatever you decide, whether to join us or strike out on your own, is up to you. I only ask that you keep your magical abilities and status as, well, an alien hidden. Xochipilli will do its best to hide and protect you, but there are limits to what we're capable off. This city is a bit of an odd one, so simply behave like you belong and most people won't give you another glance.

Sincerely,
Jackson Rau

The box primarily contains any objects or clothing of the newcomer that would draw undue attention in their new, modern surroundings. However, it also holds a phone complete with instructions, a key to the recipient's room, a map to their apartment or dorm (with an attached note reminding them that their roommate is probably a normal person and that they should maintain their secrecy), and a plastic debit card.

Whoever arrives here, the setup is the same: In front of him is a set of double doors, leading into a room filled with milling Xochipilli employees. Any questions he has about the city can be answered here--and if he's discrete enough about asking, he can even get some basic instruction on how to use their magic.

Behind him is a door labeled 'EXIT'. Should he choose to step through this door, he'll find himself in a deserted stairwell that opens up into an alleyway.

The choice is up to him.

The Welcome - The Festival - Roommates - Around the Town

Comments

//will is very keen to details, let me know if you'd rather he not notice something/vice versa!

[crotesque]

[A voice. It takes Graham a minute to respond, mulling over the comment one more time before smiling bitterly behind his hand. Yes, he supposes he is feeling a little bit ill. He has been feeling a little bit ill for quite some time now, all of his glue coming undone.]

I'm fine.

[He decides that after a moment, and with a deep breath lifts his head to examine the other man. He looks... as if he feels out of place. As if he's used to carrying himself in a different manner.]

You must be... [Will glances down at a slip of paper disdainfully.] My roommate.

[He isn't particularly obliged to play this game of secrecy, maybe because he doesn't understand that others have had this 'prank' played on them.]

103 - Itsuki 'Ikki' Minami and Suzuki

[nosotros]

[warmgun]

[John is also playing detective, albeit to less effect than someone like Sherlock might manage. Considering Sherlock outstripped the police on a regular basis, though, John wasn't going to dwell on that comparison and the disparity in their skills.]

[He has a notebook and pen out, everything else from his box having got stuffed into various pockets. The bloke with the thin beard is looking all right. At least like he belongs more than some of the others. John's stance is tight, guarded, though his face is as friendly as he can manage under the circumstances. He still doesn't believe this magic or new universe nonsense but he can try to be friendly with whoever the natives here are.]

Hullo there! Just trasferred over from the London office. Mad getting used to a new office, yeah? [He's not particularly adept at deception, but that's easy enough to maintain.] Are you one of the regular employees, then?

[warmgun]

[John has to make the conscious effort not to grab his gun and whirl around at the sound of the door opening. He simply closes the door to the refrigerator and turns to look at the other man, a smile plastered on his face. An Aussie. Well, fancy that.]

Not busy in the slightest.

[It's then that the scent of cigarettes hits him. Perfect.]

Sorry, I'm John. John Watson. [He steps forward and offers his hand.] Just transferred over from London. Are you... new, as well?

got it, thanks o7

[estranges]

Indeed.

[It's as if he's not the only one unhappy about the proceedings. Kain though, he's not interested in letting anyone know that, so he holds on to his cool, distant demeanor.]

Just arrived yourself, I see.

[But that's a problem-- Kain knows nothing about this world and lying about where he'd come originally will not be easy, especially since he doesn't remember his formative years.

... Unless of course he can use his lack of memories to his advantage. Well, he'll see how well that will go should he be asked.]

[oakleaf]

[Unfortunately for Kazu he bears an unmistakeable resemblance to someone that just got busted. Hakuren has taken care of too many church orphans to not recognize the look.]

Probably to keep us from leaving without the school officials noticing. [Hakuren can't help but think it's a terrible inconvenience, though. He can already tell that he won't have as much freedom here as he did back home. Maybe he should just let Kazu have his way...]

[In the meantime, he offers his hand out.] I suppose that makes you my roommate. My name is Hakuren.

[raggs]

[Teito surveyed Ryu for a moment. Well... definitely not an Oak, then. Truth be told, he was almost a little disappointed. Shuri might have been annoying, but both he and Hakuren were familiar, and Teito could have used something familiar in among all the chaos of the new place.

Regardless of his feelings on the matter, Teito took a few steps forward, confidence in his stride that he didn't quite feel. He held his hand out to Ryu.]

Teito Klein.

[raggs]

[Teito is pretty sure he's never felt quite this relieved to see an Oak before. Ever. In his life. Or any of his past lives, for that matter. But relief does flood through him, and he brightens almost immediately, stepping over to Hakuren with a smile he can't quite keep off his face even with all of his mild paranoia.]

Hakuren! You're here, too?

[raggs]

[Teito considers rejecting the hand, at first. Debates with himself on whether or not accepting it counts as a sign of weakness, and how he needs to conduct himself -- and then remembers that he isn't really a member of the military; wasn't meant to ever be, and accepts the hand, pulling himself up to his feet. He's hand enough dealing with Frau's teasing to not bristle too much at Will's comment, looking down a little sullenly and massaging the side of his face that was reddened on impact.]

It was my fault. I wasn't paying attention. [Which is to say that he should have been, and he's somewhat aghast that he wasn't, given that he did such a ridiculous thing. Walking into a post is a new low for him.]

[oakleaf]

[Well that's a reaction Hakuren admittedly wasn't expecting. The past week around Teito has been an odd, terse one with his memories gone. This excited reaction wasn't what Hakuren had been expecting at all.]

Yes, I am. And so is-- [Pya! Mikage abruptly starts struggling from where he's tucked away in in Hakuren's clothing. The apprentice bishop gives a start, then abruptly grabs Teito's arm and starts to lead him towards a relatively secluded alleyway.] --and so is Mikage.

[amnesiadragon]

[... Right. Handshakes. He could do this. He stepped forward, not looking terribly confident at all, but smiled, going to shake the other's hand.]

I'm Ryu. It's nice to meet you, Teito.

Open!

[oakleaf]

[Well, there are certainly worse ways to spend his afternoon. The party at the Landing is a bit more crowded and chaotic than Hakuren is used to, but that's no reason he can't blend in. Or rather literally get lost in the crowd. Hakuren refuses to admit to being overwhelmed, but he's going to swallow his pride enough to admit that he's hungry. So he seeks out the first person that doesn't look too busy and reaches out to lay a hand on their shoulder.]

Excuse me!

[smokefilledroom]

[John's smile is returned by Elijah's own, and he accepts the handshake, nodding at the last question.]

Elijah, just in from Melbourne. Pleased to meet you.

[warmgun]

Melbourne, eh? Cheers! My dad took me to see the football match up at the Olympic Stadium when I was, God. Seven? Eight? I'm not sure you would've been born yet.

[His smile turns rueful as he withdraws his hand. Elijah seems an all right bloke at the moment.]

Should we sort out who's got which room, then? [He jerks his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the corridor.]

OPEN

[warmgun]

[John steps into the building, naturally. He's not Sherlock. He can't just live in anarchy when it pleases him to. At least whatever Xochipilli is, it has enough structure to have given him a note. Not that he believes a word of it. Magic? That was rubbish if John had ever heard it. Sounding like a madman certainly wasn't one of his top priorities, so he'd keep that politely out of the conversation as requested. Still, he's pocketed the bizarre blue magazine clip he'd found in the box with his other effects. It seemed... wrong to leave it.

His first move is to dial Sherlock's number once he's worked out the phone. He's expecting to get a voicemail, but the operator's voice informs him the number isn't in service. Harry's number isn't, either. Nor are Bill's, Mike's, or Lestrade's. Desperate, he tries phoning New Scotland Yard directly. There's no record of Lestrade, Donovan, or even Anderson.

Well. Right, then. Whoever put this together is really trying to convince him he's been transported to a different universe. It's certainly beginning to feel like it. He puts the phone away and pulls out his notebook and a pen before approaching the nearest person.]

Hi, sorry. Afraid I'm a bit new. D'you know who Mr. Jackson Rau is?

[inline]

[Kazu waves his cellphone in response—not the sketchy new one in his pocket but his flip phone, corners chipped from use and just a little outdated. Simple charms jangle around a screen gone black.]

Ran outta juice.

[Turned off, actually, on the off chance that everything he's been told is true. Better not get stuck having to explain why it's out of range in the middle of a city.]

[inline]

I didn't think they'd be that strict...

[Blinking at Hakuren—you mean people their age do handshakes?—but he'll straighten out of his slouch to accept it, head bobbing on habit.]

Mine's Kazu, s'nice to meet you. Sorry 'bout the, uh.

[ ...Vague gesturing at the window. The scuff mark stares darkly back, seeming to demand some kind of explanation, so he tacks on: ] Thought I'd let some air in.

[nosotros]

[Lucky John, it's a young intern that he approaches first. Eliot gives John his brightest smile, though it looks a bit forced. It's not that Eliot is unhappy, it's just a bit awkward.]

I do! He's the CEO of our company.

[oakleaf]

[It doesn't even occur to Hakuren that a handshake might be odd. For him it's almost shockingly informal.] Teachers can be very protective of their students. [Once the handshake is done Hakuren crosses to the window. He gives the dark scuff a once over, and then decides that this time it's okay to let it pass.]

It is rather silly to restrict it to only opening a few inches. Maybe we can modify it.

[inline]

[Seems to perk a bit at that, his posture slackening again. He'll follow after Hakuren and peer around him to study the frame.]

We're gonna need tools for that. You think the others in here'd know how to do it? It'd be weird if somebody hasn't tried.

[revile]

[To say Suzuki is disgruntled about this turn of events is a gigantic understatement, but the second he'd realized that EXIT that had been offered to him turned out to be a huge lie, the most he can do is walk around and hope that at some point he'll wake up from this weird dream he's having.

That is, until he gets distracted by a sudden loud sound, and as he pauses and looks around, he realizes that someone else is caught up in wandering around. Not very intently though.]

...you okay? [He calls out slowly before walking over, because as stupid as this whole thing is, he's not going to let someone (possibly in his dreams) stand around who could be hurt.]

OPEN

[revile]

[As smart as Suzuki is, he's not exactly so easily convinced by a single note that he has indeed landed into a completely different world. I mean, he's from Earth, and he knows about America, but the second he'd read the word "magic" he'd just about thrown the stupid letter away and made a beeline for that exit that had been visible.

But instead, he just scoffed and tucked all the items in the box into his pocket and walked off, eventually finding himself in some town that he'd been led to by an alleyway. Stopping, he reached into one of his pockets to retrieve the letter again, opening it and finally taking the time to humor himself and read through the rest of it.]

Zochi... pi... chipill...? Is that a word? That doesn't even look like English.

[warmgun]

The CEO... right. Yes, of course!

[It occurs to him that a potential new employee should know that. John slaps his forehead in mock exasperation.]

Sorry, I must have left part of my head back in London. You're one of the regulars here, are you? I don't suppose there's a chance Mr. Rau would have a moment for a chat. I'm not entirely sure where I should be going.

[sapless]

[Hello idk my bff Suzuki. Heisuke had already been up, box tucked under one arm with the other shoved in his pocket. This was definitely some predicament. Being in another world, if it even was so, this 'magic' nonsense, everything...

Well, he was certain he was dreaming. That was the easiest way to explain it. Some weird sort of dream that he'd wake up from soon enough--for real, this time. Standing rather idly and just watching the others move about, he began trying to think of a new plan of action. Move? Run? Hide? All three? Well... No one was really rushing him anywhere, and no one was attacking him. He could stay there until he woke up if need be.

Well, he would have if he didn't see that horribly familiar face.]

Suzuki! Hey, wait up!

[nosotros]

It's alright! Jetlag, right? [Eliot nods in understanding. Xochipilli seems to hire people from all over.] I don't know if you'll be able to see Mr. Rau any time -- he's pretty busy! Maybe I can help, though? I was born and raised here.