iterumrp | Arrival Mingle

Entry tags:

Arrival Mingle

Who: Everyone.
What: The Chosen return or arrival in the City.
When: July 1st.
Where: The Districts of the City.
Anything Else? Feel free to make your own arrivals, or throw an arrival starter here! The party is open to all. As a reminder, language barriers are not an issue in the Tower.

The City hadn't changed at all in its time without the chosen. If anything, The City seemed a little dusty. The Chosen would find themselves waking in their assigned homes. Even if they were returning and had other homes. They would wake in their chosen home. For the most part, anyway, a few chosen had special ways of arriving.

The assigned housing varied depending on the district they were assigned according to their sin. However, everyone had a box, a welcome package awaiting them upon waking. Inside the box was an extra invitation inviting them to the tower if they so decided to come visit upon arrival.

The city was once again bustling with life. Cars, demons, and the people of the City moving as if time had never stopped. Business as usual for the returning Chosen.

The Tower

While it was not Aiden's district, he had talked the Duchess into opening up the ballroom, and Skiffell to provide food, that just didn't seem to end. The grand ballroom was filled with many delectable dishes, and a small band of demons playing big band music in the corner.

The doors were propped open with the music drifting out to help lull the chosen who decided to attend. A handwritten poster board outside the open doors displaying 'Welcome Chosen!' with about 10 smiley faces drawn on it. While normally parties at the tower demanded fancy dress, Aiden throwing a party meant that rule would not be abided. He didn't dig out the fancy threads for anyone. This was a different kind of party, put together by the lord of Leisurebrook.

While Aiden didn't plan to reveal himself as a magistrate, he did love to mingle with people and hear their stories. So he was there. He was napping at a round table off in a corner, his messy brown hair spilled over his crossed arms as he napped as if he didn't have a care in the world.

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"Unfortunately, no. Not my first time." The response is flat, before Jaeger remembers that it's not this guy's fault. He does his best to look apologetic, schooling himself into something less dour.

This time has been pretty kind for being held against his will.

"But ive never been here before, that im aware of. I'm still putting together rumors and advice from those that have been here before, but our experiences seem rather scattered." A frown crosses his face, softened by thought this time. "The gift basket was a nice touch, at least."

He gives Leon a curious look. "You've had a chance to talk to one of the magistrates, then?"

That gets Leon's attention and he studies the man for a moment. That look, the way he holds himself, he seems like someone who's capable, maybe ex-military.

"It's my first time here as well. I've managed to speak to a few people so far, and a magistrate, the one that goes by The Duchess. She's the magistrate for the Tower District, the one we're in right now. She had some interesting things to say but I've been warned about the magistrates, so take it with a grain of salt," Leon invites himself to come stand by Jaeger, getting out of the way of anyone else who wants to peruse the spread so they can chat more about this.

"If you're wondering about anything, I can try to fill in the blanks with what I've been told so far," He offers with a shrug.

Like recognizes like, and Jaeger doesn't exactly hide his martial stature. Partly, because he's just used to being labeled as such by his size and general fitness.

He could be someone's somewhat terrifying college professor, but that's another life completely, not where his path has led.

And Jaeger subtly moves aside to make room for Leon in his little corner of space, as close to an open invitation as he can offer. Talking is productive, and it'll be a bit before Jaeger ventures forth for another drink. Watered or not, he's pacing himself.

"She's the one in charge, apparently." He nods quietly. "I try to avoid politics when possible, but it seems that this city might have more than most with its...unique structure and requirements."

He lets that linger for a moment, then continues. "I've heard a few things myself, not so much about the magistrates but the city itself, that I'm still trying to process. So I think talking with others, even those newly arrived, is a good idea. Sharing what information we can and...well, building a plan of attack, such as it is."

He's not really planning to declare war on the city. He promises. But everything in his life for years now has been something of an undertaking.

Leon doesn't really think of himself as 'military'... at all. To a civilian, sure, he could see how they wouldn't see any difference between what he's been through and does and what someone in the military has. But to someone who's actually military, no, he is not military.

"Is she? I didn't realize that. You sure she's actually in charge and doesn't just think she is?" She seemed like the type who would tell everyone she ran the place when it wasn't entirely true.

"Unique structure and requirements?" He's not sure exactly what he's talking about, it could be any number of things.

"Yeah, let's compare notes. What've you heard about the City? I guess the heard of it used to be here, right under our feet, but that was the last time everyone was here. Apparently, it can also mess with your head if it feels... 'threatened'," He misses his rocket launcher.

"A plan of attack?" He raises an eyebrow.

Military or not, there's a certain sort of recognizable martial quality in Jaeger's experience. Structure, discipline, the ability to handle oneself under questionable circumstances.

Not always accurate, but often enough, and it's an aura the big man has deliberately cultivated in his time. At least in part because it was expected of him.

"Well, it's her picture in the silver frame, and her doing a great deal of the speaking. It would be interesting to see what the actual hierarchy is, if there is one," he muses. It's not exactly clear, though he kind of expects there might be a difference between the magistrate that left him a buck knife and the one who left him cozy pajamas.

Mixed messages, there.

He regards Leon gravely. "I've heard that the city consumes the energy of our sins, that's why we're here. I've also heard about the heart being here, and that some people think the city is a living thing."

He drains the last sip from his glass, then toys with the flute with big, scarred hands.

"I've encountered things like that on a smaller scale, but I'm reserving judgment until I know more. I know the shadow creatures...the demons? Are dangerous, too. I killed one in an alley a couple of nights ago, and it didn't go down easily."

He coughs a small laugh. "I suppose I'm too used to things getting messy sooner rather than later, and my previous job was in, ah, situation management of a sort."

Security if you're being polite. Hitman if you aren't.

"Yep," He nods in agreement. It's definitely her picture in the frame and she has been the only one to make a post. Plus, this center district did seem maybe more important than the others.

"The energy of our sins?" He raises an eyebrow. He'd seen a lot of cult shit. Too much cult shit. And it had all been infected humans, so excuse him if he doesn't really buy the whole 'sin' thing.

"I've heard something similar. The City wants something from us. We're here to feed it, I guess. I don't know if sins play into it. And, I'm pretty sure the City has some kind of sentience. The Duchess says they can communicate with it and, apparently, it can protect itself."

Leon visibly perks up at the mention of shadow creatures, "I haven't seen anything like that around. Are they human-sized? How'd you take it down?"

From Leon's undivided attention, it's probably safe to assume that he's also used to things getting messy.

"Situation management... right," He scoffs softly, a small, knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, "Same actually."

Jaeger gives a wry smile because honestly, even as well-traveled as he is the idea of a sentient city feeding on sins is a bit much for him, too. He certainly won't begrudge anyone else their disbelief.

"It looked like a human-sized...not quite a snail, but it was tough. Bullets didn't stop it. It was faster than it looked, as well, and came right for us once it knew we were there." He grimaced. "It had to be. Ah. Disassembled completely, let's say."

And that had been messy. But safer, he thinks, than letting it get into striking distance. Jaeger wasn't exactly sanguine about his chances in a knife fight with the thing.

He returns the smile, that battle-weary smirk at the shared occupation. "More specifically, I was in private security. Which also covered some degree of investigation and asset management."

"Disassemble it? How?" He doesn't see any reason to tiptoe around any of this. If Jaeger has experience taking one of these things down, it only makes sense to Leon to share, "Did the bullets seem to hurt it at all, or no?"

Because, damn, he's definitely come up against some of those. Ironically, as Jaeger is thinking about how much he wouldn't want to get into a knife fight with the creature, Leon has gone to exactly that as the go-to to 'disassemble' one of these things.

"Private Security. Alright. I have a... friend who's also in private security. I'm Government - a DSO agent," He's oblivious that the DSO doesn't really exist in other worlds but it wouldn't be completely far off for Jaeger to assume it's somewhat similar to the FBI.

"Combat magic," he says bluntly, but kindly. "I'm a mage, and I have certain abilities well suited to taking things apart when necessary."

He's not sure that Leon will believe him, but it's okay with Jaeger if he doesn't. Most don't, and while he has some potential demonstrations, the bigger and more explosive shows will have to wait for another time.

"We shot out its eyes, and landed several center mass shots, and it didn't slow down," he continues with a small shake of his head. He pauses, then says more quietly, "Things seemed distorted when it approached. Warped. I wouldn't be surprised if it was some kind of psychotropic effect, but I felt it was safer to keep it at a distance as much as possible."

Thus the reason to not engage with a knife at close range.

Jaeger pauses, stills slightly before he nods again, calm and measured. Wary? Just a bit, but all this city situation has made his fugitive status a bit less critical than it was. And DSO doesn't ring any bells, but Jaeger is all too familiar with just how many alphabet soup organizations there are out there.

"I went independent some time ago. But that comes with its own challenges, so it keeps me sharp, at least." Sharp and brittle, if he's more honest, honed to a breaking edge by restless paranoia. But he's still got his shit together, that's the important part.

"It seems like a useful skillet here, at least. If just for the matter of adapting to unknown threats."

"... Combat magic..." Jaeger is right to suspect that Leon won't really believe him. He's seen a lot of things, including an unhinged cult or two. All their 'magic' was all, ultimately, based in science. Not that he's at all a scientist, but he firmly believes everything has some kind of explanation.

"Handgun?" Because, yeah, some nastier things could shrug off an entire magazine or two. It only tells him he should really invest in a powerful shotgun as soon as he can. Or maybe something with even more of a punch.

"Seems like a lot of stuff around here does that - the whole messing with your head thing," It's definitely an issue.

The sudden wary stiffness at the mention of the DSO doesn't escape Leon but he doesn't comment on it. Things were complicated when it came to his employer anyway. If Jaeger watches closely, there's almost a flicker of something close to envy when he mentions going independent.

"Sure, it's kept us both alive this far. It's nice to know there's someone else around who has a similar background," As long as he doesn't think too long about the magic thing.

Jaeger just smiles indulgent at Leon's doubt. Another time, perhaps, he'll demonstrate but there's also something to be said for being underestimated as a lunatic. A civil, well-mannered lunatic, at least?

".40 Ruger," he confirms with a nod. Which he doesn't have on him right at this moment, but is comfortable enough with. Leon's holsters don't get a second glance, just a detail filed away with everything else he observes.

"It seems there's a variety of skills represented here," he comments idly. "Whatever...criteria they've used to bring us here. If there is any logic behind it all."

A bit of quiet cynicism there, but to be fair, the entire situation is a lot. He huffs a grim chuckle, and shakes his head.

"How is your apartment?"

Leon tilts his head a little a surprised smirk on his face. His own handgun is custom but incredibly close to a .40 Ruger as well.

"You've got good taste," He jokes quietly before getting serious again as he thinks about what might work against these creatures, "I wonder if something that packs more of a punch than that might do the trick. I started at the Bullet Hole yesterday. Still trying to feel out how the boss is but I'm guessing they know where I might be able to get ahold of something with more firepower."

He shakes his head.

"Not sure if there's much rhyme or reason to it. What I was told, and take it with a grain of salt because it's from a magistrate, we've all been picked because of the sin thing, because we'll react emotionally or something," He shrugs a little.

"It's in the tower. A bit fancier than what I'm used to but it's fine," The condo he had back home was pretty sterile as well. He's never really been good at making places feel like a home and not just a place with furniture where he sleeps.

"It's a good piece, reliable." He nods approval at their shared choice of weapon. "I'm fairly sure there's a thriving black market here, it's just a matter of knowing your way around...and being only one city that appears to be self-contained, I expect that will come in time. Especially with the threats present."

He wouldn't object to getting his hands on a good, reliable shotgun, either, if he's going to be making a habit of running into those demons.

"I suppose that makes sense, in a twisted way," he agrees solemnly. "I wouldn't be surprised if there was some logic to us being here, no matter how convoluted." He huffs quietly. That strange sort of gratitude is still there under everything. Relief, that he's still alive to puzzle all this out and not dead on a desolate roadside in the rain.

"The Tower? Impressive. I haven't seen much of it beyond the event rooms." He pauses. "I'm apparently in the Coliseum district. A small apartment, but I don't need much." Bed, small kitchen, and a shower are all he really needs. "And there's a Cafe, which is nice enough."

"I don't even mean a black market. If there's a shooting range, there are likely people selling guns. I've only just started but even today I saw a bit of variety," He says with a shrug. He'd prefer to avoid the City's seedy underbelly as much as he could.

"Oh! The shooting range is really close to the Coliseum. It's gotta be the same district. Pretty sure I went to the cafe you're talking about today.

Is the Tower really that impressive?" He shrugs a little, "The rooms are a little fancier than I'm used to. More expensive and, uh... sleek. I can't complain, that's for sure."

Jaeger nods absently. He's used to dredging the dark underground for what he needs, it's become a way of life for him over the past six years.

"There are apparently two housing units in the Coliseum district. I think I landed in the quieter of the two but I've seen a lot of...martial businesses. I'm sure you'll see me at the range sooner rather than later, I intend to keep aharp." As soon as he has money to spare for ammunition. Right now, he's still limiting himself to food and clothing with his scant gifts from the magistrates.

"The Tower is the center of the city, so I would think it's meant to be as impressive as possible." He waves idly to indicate the facilities they're currently enjoying. "Especially if it's supposed to embody Pride."

He goes a little wry there, darkly bemused before he shakes his head.

"But I won't say the Coliseum is a bad match for me. So...there's that. And, really, i dont use much more tgan the bed, the shower, and tge coffee maker."

Leon doesn't look so amused when Jaegar mentions Pride, his apparent sin, swishing his lips and glaring at the spread of food and drinks for a moment.

"What's the Coliseum district supposed to be?" He's genuinely curious but he realizes after he asks that it sounds a bit like he's trying to get back at the man for pointing out his own sin.

"I think, I'd probably be fine in any of the districts. I've definitely been in a lot worse places. I'm sure you can probably say the same. A bed and a shower and a roof over my head? Sign me up."

Jaeger looks nonplussed- the comment about Pride had been more a dig at their gracious Magistrates, not anything against Leon, and he takes the return volley with simple acceptance, still a tiny curl of smile that's just as much self-deprecating as not.

"The Coliseum district is apparently associated with Wrath," he says mildly. "And most of the districts seem hospitable, but Shantytown is apparently not desirable real estate. I found myself there for a short time, not the nicest part of town." He'd been lucky to find a guide, and he was grateful for that. He hadn't been in the best state of mind, or surroundings.

"But yes...I don't need a lot, and I admit it's a relief to have a place to stay while I make sense of all this. I've been told I should plan to stay a while, so." Big shrug, a little bit of that stern demeanor coming down.

"Wrath?" He echoes, frowning a little. He doesn't really see any echoes of the sin in Jaeger, but he also doesn't consider himself prideful.

"It is... strange, I guess is a word for it. The kidnapping but then the housing. The gifts, but the complete lack if transparency or information," It's confusing. It makes him want to know what the hell is going on, "It's difficult not knowing what they actually want from us... Time, maybe. Our presence here. Doesn't really give us much to work with."

"Wrath. The sin of anger and violence," he confirms. He can't help but be amused, at himself mostly because he's a man whose still waters run deep.

On the surface, he's calm and unperturbed, but there are darker things inside him that he's not quick to admit to.

"And 'strange' covers it, I agree. I've been told some things, like you have, but I don't know yet how to process them. Some are saying that the city is its own living thing, just to give you an idea of the...scope of the theories."

He shakes his head, then, and glances toward the laden tables. He's going to need another drink and something to eat soon, but in a minute. Not quite yet, not after dropping something that unbelievable.

"Yeah, I'd heard the same thing. From one of the magisters, actually.

I got something of a non-response from her, but... the magisters don't know why we're here - why the City brought us here. They don't know specifics allegedly, or they don't want to share them. It makes me wonder why we can't just go straight to the source. I want to talk to the City, the entity that is the City," He's fully aware how crazy it sounds, but maybe they'd get some answers that way. If the City needs them to do something and brought them here for some purpose, talking to it and asking why didn't seem like the worst idea to him.

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Arrival Mingle

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