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

[takestheblame]

[Looks like Kazuma Kiryu is once again in a situation he didn't ask for. He's not surprised, he's just annoyed. That's why he leaves the room without even trying to talk to anyone else in the room, he wants to find out what's going on and what they want. He leaves the room, throwing that ugly wig to the floor.

II

His annoyance turns into puzzlement once he realizes what state everyone else is in. This is highly abnormal, and he doesn't like it one bit. He waves a hand in front of a young man's face, not getting much of a response. Kiryu steps back, sucking air through his teeth]

Something's very wrong here.

[To say the least.

III

Once he realized things were very abnormal, he examined the wig, and found there's a capsule attached to him. Kiryu is sitting on the bed, turning the sphere in his hands. There's a button there, but he's not going to press it -- you don't press buttons in devices you don't know. When someone's nearby, he beckons them and asks the question:]

What can you tell me about this?

[Technology definitely isn't his strong point]

iii

[discutio]

...I'm afraid I'll need to ask you to be more specific.

[Ignis did manage a small smirk at the question, at least.]

[takestheblame]

This...capsule. What exactly is its function?

[He'd understand if nobody knew, but he's asking nonetheless]

[discutio]

You have one as well? [Ignis produced his own, turning it over in his hand.] I'm afraid I'm not sure what it's meant for.

[takestheblame]

So it's not just me... [That's kind of nice. Makes him feel a bit less lost] There's this button but I'm not sure I should press it. It could activate some kind of alarm.

[He's picturing those buttons that are used to activate car alarms, yep]

[discutio]

Hm...it's possible, yes. But it seems odd that more than one of us would have the trigger mechanism to such an alert.

[takestheblame]

That's a good point. [Welp. Nothing to do other than biting the bullet] Get ready to run, just in case.

[Kiryu stands up, and after a moment of hesitation he presses the button. The capsule opens, he instinctively lets it fall to the floor, and from out comes...well that's not at all what he expected. Kiryu is genuinely surprised]

...what?

[discutio]

[Before Ignis could point out that they had no idea where there even was to run in the first place (never mind that he was liable to head straight into a wall), there was a mechanical sound, and...]

...what happened? I don't hear an alarm.

[takestheblame]

...something came out of the ball.

[Was that supposed to happen? He really doubts that was supposed to happen. He approaches the bear-looking creature a bit, receiving only an empty stare, and glances at the capsule on the floor]

It doesn't make any sense, this clearly wouldn't fit in that capsule.

[discutio]

You'd be surprised what one can do with limited space.

[That sounded oddly like a joke, Ignis pressing the button on his own capsule only for a black and white Absol to appear and sit in front of him in silence.]

...do forgive me, but would you tell me just what we're dealing with?

II

[eudaimonikos]

Uh - yeah.

[You fucking think so? Michael pokes the Galactic grunt, more out of irritation than anything; he's learned already not to expect a response.]

They act like they all have brain damage.

[takestheblame]

...they must have intended to do the same to us.

[Judging by the same uniforms and wigs]

[eudaimonikos]

Ugh. [That produces a shudder.] I'd rather just be tortured. What is the point of -

[A brain-damaged human doesn't seem like a useful one to anybody. From what he knows, anyway. But at least they seem able-bodied. Can they follow orders?

Michael glances around, then waves the grunt towards a nearby conference table.]

Hey, buddy, go sit down over there.

[takestheblame]

[That grunt...it actually is going to the table, isn't he? Kiryu watches the grunt move, feeling his disgust increase]

They're little more than puppets at this point!

[eudaimonikos]

Ah. There's the point.

[Michael narrows his eyes as the grunt goes off. It's not exactly a visceral reaction for him, but even he can tell that this is pretty fucked up. His first thought is to wonder how they can make use of it, and he knows that that's also kinda fucked up.

Still. It'd work. Let's float the idea by this human he just met.]

We can probably get them to just show us the way out, then.

[takestheblame]

...worth a try. [Sounds simple enough, and given they don't resist orders...Kiryu feels dirty asking this from them, but getting out of this building is important right now] Hey. You. Take us to the exit -- a safe one.

[eudaimonikos]

[Oh, okay, ordering them around is probably fine then?]

Whoever did this to them must have been planning the same for us. We’re dressed up just like them.

ii

[hesychast]

Yes, I'm afraid that much goes without saying. [ The regret in his words are,perhaps surprisingly, plain and genuine. ]

They do not appear to want to converse beyond a simple greeting...

[takestheblame]

I'm starting to think it's a miracle they're wandering around without getting hurt.

[He sounds concerned as well. This is far from normal, and there are too many people to help at once. He's feeling kind of lost right now]

[hesychast]

Perhaps. [ But unlike his previous statement, this sounds more like a platitude than true agreement. ]

Given their current state, it is likely that they have a leader or master to guide them.

[ His eyes flick to Kiryu, searching for a certain reaction. ]

[takestheblame]

I thought that much was obvious. [Kiryu's brow creases, the thought of finding the leader of these people...it's enticing] I sure am going to ask for an explanation as to why we're here in the first place.

[He cracks his knuckles. Kiryu is a violent person, but he really does plan to ask first and only move to action if there's no answer]

[hesychast]

[ ...the confirmation that he has possibly only run into one other Master is greatly welcome. That matter settled, Shirou seems more at ease, amused even at Kiryu's blunt display. ]

Yes, I suppose it is. It seems you have more you wish to—ah, forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Shirou Kotomine, it is a pleasure to meet you.

[takestheblame]

Kiryu. [Of course he has a first name, but he doesn't seem to be willing to tell his full name right now] I'd say the same thing to you, but it's not as much of a pleasure when we're both in this situation.

[hesychast]

I understand. [ Like before his answer is genuine, punctuated by a warm smile. ]

Given the circumstances I would be surprised if you were truly pleased, but I find it helps to maintain cordalities in pressing times.

[takestheblame]

Does it really help? I haven't found cordalities help defuse a tough situation.

[But that's because you deal with yakuzas who are trying to punch and stab your face off, Kiryu]