How many goodly creatures are there here! :: GAME OPENER

[synergismus]

Welcome to Baedal.

These are the first words newcomers hear when the door opens and they are invited into their new world. Some fuss, some fight, some need time before they have the courage to step outside. Others, shell-shocked or jaded, go quietly along with the proceedings.

They are given brief instructions; a repeat of what's described in the pamphlet and a door key.

Please stay in your room. There will be dinner soon.

It's been almost a day for some. For others, only an hour's wait. The latest newcomer is lead straight from the arrival room to the dining hall where candles and lanterns have been set out to compensate for failing electricity. (Those who have been here longer explain about rolling blackouts.) The food, however, is warm, varied and plentiful. Seating is open, and less conventional chair are available to those who need them.

There are many strange faces around the table, the majority of these recent arrivals. The proprietor of the Valhalla Inn is here, as is some of her staff. The Sheriff of Mog Hill is introduced, his function detailed. The reason for the dinner is explained:

It's a celebration. A new cohort has finally been officiated; CeidaryBlue523. Your cohort. Please. Introduce yourself. Mingle. Get to know your fellows, they will be your brothers and sisters for as long as you live in this city.


((OOC post for discussion and coordination.))

Comments

[nojudge.livejournal.com]

Feelings are for other people. (You know, people who aren't packing subscriptions of issues.)

"Do you, now. Playing the game, I see. Congratulations, princeling." He tugs on the edge of Jack's coat and grins at that, brief and teasing. That Balthier is politically savvy to a bizarre degree for an outlaw, Jack knows; why is still a mystery.

[mightyfallen]

Jack gives him a Look, affectionately. One of these days he'll wonder aloud about the political habits of sky pirates, but who knows if he'll get an answer. (He is, however, appreciative of the support.)

"I don't mind playing the game when I'm winning," he defends, as if that was an accusation, which says something about his own reservations. "Lucky for me, I'm good at it." (And modest, too.) "Lucky for you, I'm generous enough to share the perks."

[nojudge.livejournal.com]

"Yes, yes, your ego is very shiny," he teases. Balthier almost never seems just twenty-three; there's always that strange gravity of life that hangs around him, making him seem so much more weighted. Jack has some of it to - perhaps that, all courtly familiarity aside, is why they put up with each other. "Have you found anyone else familiar, then?"

[mightyfallen]

Jack still likes to pretend he's untouchable, but there is kinship to be found in that certain heaviness to their years. "Not a soul. –Well, Sir Hellsing has been here for some time, I presume, but I wouldn't call her familiar." For fear of being disemboweled by Dracula, perhaps.

"This cohort looks much more promising, however." His smile comes sadder than he means it, for a moment, and he looks at Balthier like he might say something more (like he's missed the pirate, or at the very least missed the simple comfort of a familiar rhythm), but he doesn't. He bumps a shoulder against his friend's instead. "And you, have you noticed anyone I should know about?"

[nojudge.livejournal.com]

"Ah." Balthier's face has a clear 'Oh, them' look to it, and he doesn't comment further. It's interesting, it really is - but that's further into the abyss of politics than he's willing to go; something about Those People edges a bit too into the militaristic territory than he's comfortable with skirting the edges of. Jack is quite enough.

A look, brief - he caught that, sir - and then he gestures with one hand, airy. "You and, so far, Martel, who sends his love-" he says hello, Balthier, "-though I haven't completed the rounds, as it were."

[mightyfallen]

"Oh good, I'd hate to see you deprived of your better half." He loves Martel, really. (Almost enough to offer the man a place to stay, too, but – well, he's not that generous.)

"Speaking of rounds, I ought to be making mine. Civic duty, you know." He rolls his eyes, but it's half-hearted; despite the disaffected default, he's enjoying his politicking more that he'll say. "Meet me out front after, I'll find you a better place to sleep."

[nojudge.livejournal.com]

If Jack is enjoying his politicking, then Balthier would prefer to break company with him for a while anyway. (He's an odd creature. He'll help, being stunningly adept, but he'll always begrudge the existence of it.)

Then again, neither of them are much for the dreaded concept of PDA.

"Abandoning me already? See if I sleep anywhere but your sofa." But he smirks at him a little, good-natured, as he slips away back into the mess of people.