Welcome.

[azumods]

AWAKENING. You're asleep, and the first thing you're aware of is the pulse. It comes quickly, flooding through your system and jolting you awake; the room you're in is dimly-lit but the bed you're in is soft, and while all of this is jarring you'll soon become rather aware that you aren't going through this alone. The room you're in is lined with beds not unlike the one you're in; you'll be able to hear other people stirring, coming awake as they respond to the pulse too, and... ...And it will soon become evident that whatever just happened, something is wrong. Whatever your response may be to waking up in a low-lit room full of people is going to be highly amplified, the emotion rubbing your nerves raw in a way that makes you feel like you're experiencing it for the first time, and whenever you manage to sit up, you'll feel something...strange on your head, tickling the sides of your face, and as you turn your head a little you'll catch a glimpse of an odd, synthetic-looking green. A wig...? Your clothes, too, are different from whatever you remember last (because whatever you remember last, it wasn't this room, it wasn't this place - ); they feel warm, designed to withstand cold weather, and if you throw the blankets off at any point (or even just pause to look beneath them) you'll be greeted with an outfit made of thick material that's alternating parts black and white and glossy silver, with an emblem inscribed on the chest - a G inscribed in gold and black. Whatever's happening here, you aren't given much time to dwell on it; everyone here seems about as confused as you are. There are twenty-four of you in the room altogether, and you're all going through the same thing; whatever you're experiencing, the door is closed, so at least you're experiencing it in relative privacy. For now. It isn't long before a voice can be heard, soft but agitated-sounding, as though trying very hard to not awaken everyone in the building; it sounds like a man, and you can hear his footfalls pause just outside your door as he speaks to someone else, voice soft and androgynous. "And you're sure they're gone?" "Yes, Commander." "And don't you think something should be done about that...?" "Right away, sir." With that, the man and whomever he was speaking to can be heard parting ways, one moving rapidly down a corridor and the other pausing, shifting a bit before eventually moving on himself. You have several options. I. You can sit here for a while and get to know each other, seeing as none of you know what happened. That might be a good idea, all things considered, and as long as the door remains closed there's no rush. It's the middle of the night, after all, and it isn't as though anyone is going to come looking - despite the urgent conversation outside, there isn't any alarm going off, nor is there any reason for most of the building to be on high alert. II. You can explore the building. Should you do that, you'll find several winding corridors leading to what look like dorms, with several rooms containing sleeping people and areas such as formal break rooms; exploring a little further will let you find conference rooms and other large, empty spaces that don't seem to have much of a purpose. There are signs and notices in several places referring to "Team Galactic" and its protocol, all adorned with the same emblem that's on your clothes. Some of these corridors also lead to doors that are, unfortunately, locked and staying that way; some of them lead to people dressed exactly like you, bizarre wig and all. They seem to be a little strange, however; they'll greet you, and they'll speak to you if spoken to, but they look odd and dead behind the eyes and there's not much to their answers, and asking them about preferences or any personal information will just net you a blank stare. It's going to be a long strange journey through the building, but at least you're traveling light; you don't seem to have any belongings with you - save for the outfit you woke up in and the red and white capsule attached to your belt... III. You can also pause to try to figure out what's going on with those capsules. They each contain something very important to you, after all - a creature that seems to have been assigned to you specifically. They don't seem to have anything on them indicating a name or another person that owns them, at any rate, so it's probably safe to assume it's yours. That said, something seems decidedly wrong with it - it seems alarmingly apathetic, the look in its eyes dull and resigned as opposed to alert and emotive, and while it's willing to follow you (it's almost a bit too willing to follow you, it will stay close by your side in the manner of a dog trained to heel if you try to walk away from it) it doesn't seem to be due to any sort of genuine affection. It's all very...sterile, for lack of a better term. Welcome to Sinnoh. Glory to Team Galactic. [OOC: Welcome to Azume! Feel free to use this log to get to know one another iCly; you can use the prompts given or come up with your own, though for now you're confined to the building. The Commanders are currently not present in the building (anywhere that you can find them, anyway). For now, have fun getting your bearings.]

Comments

[discutio]

Agreed.

[At least he was coherent enough to talk, which was good enough regardless of deadpan.]

There doesn't seem to be an immediate threat in here, but there's no telling when that 'Commander' or whoever they were speaking to might return.

[semistableman]

No. But I'm almost certain they're aware we're here; after all, they were nice enough to dress us in matching uniforms while we were asleep.

[At least petting the goat helps a little. Eventually, it makes a little skii noise, that Bucky pauses at, breathing in sharply.]

The best plan, as far as I can see, would be to separate civilians from those with combat experience.

[Is this a test? Yes, it is absolutely a test.]

[discutio]

I've no doubt they're aware of our presence, certainly. I'd question the wisdom of leaving us alone for an extended period with no concept of our circumstances, so I imagine our time left to our own devices is short.

[Ignis frowned, leaning back against the nearest wall and folding his arms.]

I think that a wise course of action. If this does turn to a combat situation, then priority should be to guard those unable to fight on their own.

[semistableman]

More than likely. This facility must be secure; there's no other reason they would risk us wandering about on our own. They probably have ways of monitoring us.

[He looks around, but can't see anything that looks like security cameras. Not that he would necessarily be able to tell.]

I agree. There doesn't need to be many combatants, just enough-- civilians will outnumber us regardless.

[The "us" there is probably telling.]

[discutio]

I'd not be surprised if there were cameras at minimum, locked doors if they're smart. Likely a security office with control of both.

[He tapped his fingers on one arm, letting the implication of his own combat skills pass without confirmation or denial.]

From the sound of things, I've little doubt. Twenty-four of us from what I'm told, simple probability doesn't favor an abundance of those skilled in self-defense.

[semistableman]

[Bucky hmms in thought.]

Yeah. That sounds most likely. It's not impossible to rig locks so they can be remotely operated.

[He shifts his stance, putting more weight on his left leg than his right.]

If we're lucky, I'd guess we have four or five, and that's assuming we're all capable of unarmed combat. If they have guns, we're going to be in trouble. We also have the animals to worry about.

[That creature behind the guy looks like a weapon all on its own, but with how listless it's acting, he's not sure it can even defend itself.]

[discutio]

Four or five is enough to do more than some would think. And it stands to reason that if they emerged from those capsules, they may be able to return to them. Firearms would complicate the matter, certainly; but if they can be taken by surprise and disarmed, we'll have a slim advantage.

[semistableman]

Maybe.

[He looks down at the goat, giving her a gentle pat on her side.]

They're pretty creepy. I don't think I'll be using one. I'll carry this girl if I need to.

[discutio]

They're certainly unconventional. But in an emergency situation, it might be an option worth falling back on. I'd like to avoid fatalities on our side of any kind, if things should get so dire.

[He didn't really say anything about avoiding fatalities in general, which may have said a lot in itself.]

Apologies--Ignis Scientia. I didn't ask your name.

[semistableman]

[Bucky makes an affirmative noise, though to which comment it's not entirely clear.]

I don't want to see anyone dead.

[But he moves on easily enough.]

Bucky. Bucky Barnes. It's a pleasure.

[discutio]

I don't see a reason to leap to lethal force unless left with no option, naturally. Regardless--the circumstances could be a bit less pressing, but it's good to meet you all the same.

[semistableman]

We'll have to see what kind of people we're up against. Sometimes people are forced into circumstances against their wills.

[But his tone is even; it's a reminder, not a reprimand.]

Too bad we met under shitty circumstances.

[discutio]

Things could always be worse, I suppose.

[semistableman]

[He nods.]

Right now, I'm thankful we're not under attack.

[discutio]

Yet, at least. But I must confess the opportunity to regroup tells me that either we aren't under threat of an imminent fight, or whoever's responsible didn't plan for our awakening.

Likely the latter, were I one to put forth a wager.

[semistableman]

Yeah.

I'd count on that; we wouldn't have been left alone if they were expecting us to awaken so quickly.

[discutio]

The question of their intentions still remains; why go to all this trouble in the first place?

[semistableman]

I don't know.

There's not only the why, there's also the how. I'm not someone a person can just get the drop on. They're good, whoever they are.

[discutio]

Likewise--stranger still that I'm here and not the two I was with. Getting past me is one thing, but all three of us? That's improbable at best.

[semistableman]

I wonder how they did it.

It's unfortunate, because they're not gonna tell us.

[discutio]

Then we'll just have to find out on our own. I don't expect help from then in any aspect of the situation, so we're going to need to rely on ourselves.

[semistableman]

Of course.

[He gaze sweeps around the room.]

The group's on the small side; it shouldn't be too difficult to manage, I don't think. Strength in numbers.

[discutio]

I heard we number twenty-four in total. That's reasonably decent odds even if we aren't all combatants; we can split into even groups should the necessity arise.

[semistableman]

It's a nice, even number.

Even if there's only five or so people who have combat experience, groups should be easy enough to divide.