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

THE LANDING

[nosotros]

This is where the real party is. Music, dancing, food -- it's all here. There are games for adults and children alike, boat rides, and even a small ferris wheel. It's easy to get lost in the crowds, and just as easy to meet new people -- or maybe see some old faces.

Open!

[inline]

[On one hand, he's grateful for the cover of the crowd and its bustle. Those Xochiwhoevenknows people can try to sell him whatever they like. He's not buying any of it just yet, and they can't make him if they can't find him.

...On the other, this is making it pretty hard for a boy with little presence to start to get anybody's attention.]

Hey— Sorry, 'scuse me!

[It's all right if you choose to ignore him. Heaven, hell, and Kazu himself know he isn't looking his most respectable in his sleep-rumpled clothes, slightly frayed at the edges like the rest of him and wreathed in the faint scent of smoke—also like the rest of him. Meet his eyes for more than a second though, and he'll plow on before you can decide you aren't giving weirdos the time of your day:]

You mind if I borrow your phone for a sec?

[estranges]

[Kain raises an eyebrow at the question. He hadn't even been looking properly, just surveying the new world he'd been dropped in. After all, he's already dressed the part, best to learn how to blend in.

But this boy is asking for his cellphone (isn't that one of the items in the box given to him?) and he'd been under the impression that everyone in this world has such a thing-- after all, it wouldn't have been given to him if it isn't a common item.]

What happened to yours?

[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.]

[estranges]

[It takes him a few seconds to parse the slang-- because what slang it is, and he's probably going to have to get used to it because he'll be living here for a while unless he finds a way back-- before he gets that the boy means 'it's not working right now'.]

I don't have mine with me at the moment.

[Nope, not even in the knapsack he'd pilfered from an unsuspecting local.

A lie, of course, because Kain isn't stupid enough to let a complete stranger handle a machine even he cannot comprehend at the moment. At least he's relatively used to lies that it comes out of his mouth easily.]

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!

[warmgun]

[John's feeling lost himself. He'd come out to have a look after getting his rooms sorted, but he's beginning to regret it just a little. At the touch, he stiffens and looks round to see some kid. John turns toward him, shrugging off the hand. He doesn't want to be rude, so he smiles politely.]

Something I can help you with, mate?

[oakleaf]

[Hakuren lets his hand fall easily. He already feels plenty rude by asking for attention so bluntly, but there wasn't any helping it.]

I'm sorry, but do you know if any of these stands are selling fish?

[warmgun]

[John glances around at the stands, then raises a brow with a half smile. He wouldn't mind a friendly chat at the moment. It helped to focus him, anyway.] Are you wanting a pet or dinner? Reckon you could find both from the look of a few of these stands.

[oakleaf]

I don't have time for a pet. [Not when he already has a baby dragon to feed, but John doesn't need to know that part. He glances in the direction of the food stands when they're indicated, looking a bit dubious. He'd been hoping to not have to deal with a crowd, but...]

I suppose I'll have to. [Hakuren offers out his hand.] Thank you, Mister...?

[warmgun]

[He takes the hand, though the lad seems awfully serious for a teenager at a festival. John can appreciate a man focused on food, at least. He's feeling peckish himself.

John Watson. It's doctor, actually. If you're hungry, I wouldn't mind sorting out what looks decent myself. Who might you be?

[oakleaf]

Doctor Watson, then. [Hakuren's ton immediately shifts to a more amicable one. Doctors help people, after all, and the invitation to speak to this man more pleases Hakuren.] I appreciate the invitation. My name is Hakuren Oak.

[warmgun]

Pleasure, Hakuren. New to the city, myself. Are you one of the students at the Academy?

[The employees at Xochipilli had mentioned a lot of transfer students when he'd asked after what would presumably be his new place of employment. As they're talking, John begins wending his way toward the stalls, glancing back now and again to ensure his young companion doesn't get lost in the crowd.]

[oakleaf]

I am. I just arrived here, myself. [Though for John to ask specifically about the academy...] Are you a teacher there? [Hakuren follows after John diligently, sticking close so as to not get separated.]

[warmgun]

Not precisely. Still working out the details, but you'll be more likely to see me for the yearly physicals and any bumps or bruises.

[He casts a quick smirk back at Haruken before returning his attention to scanning for food.] Try not to make a habit out of visiting me, all right? And this looks promising.

[John stops in front of a stand boasting an array of seafood. The sign over top of it reads 'Gone Fishing.'

open

[smokefilledroom]

a:
[Party there may be, but Elijah's not really in a party mood. Instead, he finds a space that has less people passing by, where he hopefully won't be snapped at if he wants to pull out his lighter and smoke, because it's the one thing that'll help him keep his head right now.

Inhale. Breathe out slowly. And try to focus and not panic about what was happening.

Also, he'll keep an eye out for his family. And hey, if someone wants to chat with someone who doesn't look like he's too busy, then Elijah won't be so rude as to decline a conversation.]

b:
[Though being honest, food is a decent reason for him to be at least slightly pulled out of his attempts at keeping to himself. It's not that he's picky, it's that there's a decent amount that looks good that makes him indecisive. So he has to put on a nice smile and turn to someone who looks like they wouldn't mind one question.]

If you had to pick one thing to eat, what would you choose?

[He's not going to let himself get carried away today.]