INTRO LOG #1

[bequiet]

INTRO LOG #1
Muzzle and Mute
Content Warnings: Disorientation, memory loss, confusion
Themes: Arrival, survival, exploration, horror

You wake, standing. A thick, muddy red dust coats your skin and clothes - it sticks to your tongue and blocks your vision. Inhale and it chokes you, exhale and your breath puffs out in front of your face in a transparent maroon cloud. It tastes of copper, tangy and harsh. Movement is difficult, every limb tingles and aches. Look to your left, your right. Evenly spaced in each direction stands another person indistinguishable in every way from the next. You're disoriented and lethargic, unable to grasp onto a single thought. A pinprick of light blooms ahead and grows steadily larger; a door has opened.

Hands grip your wrists, push at the small of your back and guide you out of the darkness into a room with four walls and a thin, sagging ceiling. The plaster is peeling, the air is musty, and the floor is slick. White plastic piping juts up from the center and curves into multiple spouts, clean water flowing in uneven streams. Those hands pull your clothes off and clear the dust from your body, redress you in handsewn jumpsuits. By the time they’re through, you will have begun to come back to yourself.

A finger is pressed to your lips. Kind eyes meet your own and a single word is whispered - hush.

Led out of the room in a line, you’re taken down a short hallway and into another, much larger room. There’s a woman waiting for you there, a child hugging her leg, and a cloth bag in her hands. She reaches in and pulls out a device, passes one to each of you. Once finished, she begins to move both hands in graceful gestures, a language. One of the people who helped you lifts their device and the screen lights up, tracks the woman’s hands. Letters appear on the screen and you understand the device’s purpose. She tells you what she knows and it’s not much.

This world is haunted. Noise attracts them, so it is not allowed. Communication is through body language, soundless writing, and the device. She tells you that your feet must be light and your mouth never used. There is a community outside these doors, where you can survive together, but only if you agree to one thing: complete and total silence. You'll have time to talk it over. You may ask one question and receive one answer.

Acceptance allows you to journey outside. The ground is marked in pathways of sand, lining the paths to each building and everywhere in-between. You notice that the locals hold their devices always, aloft and glance to it often. It will not vibrate or make a sound to signal a message. Notices appear. Rules. Guidelines. Feet on the sand and never anywhere else. To open a door you brush your fingers along the hinges - oiled and you may enter. If not, take the brush from the can sitting nearby and coat the metal with the dark liquid.

Now, you're to settle into your new home.

The Man in the Hat
Content Warnings: Heavy lifting, following the rules, alcoholism
Themes: Moving in, survival, exploration, horror

Once you’ve claimed a room for yourself, it’s time to acclimate to the community. Natives will ask what you need and take you along the sandpaths to different areas in the city to gather supplies - furniture and the like. Heavier items will require assistance and will take longer. Houses are mostly empty so if you and your housemates need something, you’ll have to carry it and put it inside the home. Do not make any noise or the natives will refuse to help you. Getting to know your housemates is key to a smooth transition. They are going through what you are right now; take the time to get to know them. Make house rules.

As the first day gives way to night, the natives can be seen moving at a faster pace outside. They’re hurried, though not frightened. Some even smile at you. When the sun sets behind the ruins of what was once picturesque Reims, your device will signal that it’s time to meet at the center of the community. There, natives will stop each person and give them a small gift - a trinket, a token to show that they are trying their best to make all the new arrivals feel at home. These are all items from the character’s home or from another character's home (they will not be anything that belongs to anyone else). Small, soundless and either something taken during the application process or something brand new. They will have no powers to speak of and are meant to be a momento. If asked, the natives found them the same way they found each of you.

Then the party starts. Sort of. A soundless, stitled kind of celebration. Fun is meant to be had, but it’s not an overly joyous occasion. The natives simply don’t know how to cut loose. There will be extra food in the form of one and two; Phillipa even brought some of her homemade bread. If you stumble across a man wearing a hat, the only man in town who does, and agree to go with him when he offers to show you his house - he’ll gift you with a jar of hooch; it’ll burn on the way down.

Sound Eaters
Content Warnings: Threat, danger
Themes: Survival, exploration, horror, game plot

It’s the second day of your stay, and the natives call for an emergency meeting at the Town Hall. Everyone is paired off (see below) and are asked to walk the perimeter looking for anything out of place and patching any areas that might have been affected by weather. Once finished, the same is done on the inside, and when the community leader is satisfied, the main hall is opened up so that everyone can congregate. Characters, during this time only, are allowed to make sound. This is so that the natives can explain why silence is so necessary...

The Sound Eaters.

In an effort not to frighten everyone, the natives won’t go into the history just yet, but they will warn that when someone makes a sound, it attracts them. They don’t know what they look like because they are so fast. If you’re too loud, then in the blink of an eye, you’ll go through a room reset. This is because either the natives ‘silenced’ you or the Sound Eaters have. They will explain that the room came at the same time the Sound Eaters did and that it doesn’t work for the natives. Sometimes, it doesn’t work on new arrivals. Death, for those born in this world, is permanent. If you attract them, you’ll get someone killed. Hence the need for no noise. During the meeting, the natives will tell each character of their own experiences. Their losses. The families they have left and how they’d do anything to keep them alive. They don’t know if you’ll be reset, but is that a risk you’re willing to take? The meeting will last a few hours and will end on a somber, ominous note - at the end of the month, they are taking everyone to meet them.

OOC
From your mods:

Please be mindful of content - if something triggery comes up or if it goes up a rating to say, something sexy, mark your threads in the subject line. We're very flexible and allow any material; we just want our players to be respectful of each other. If you have questions, pp the mod account, use the faq or comment to the appropriate post below. Have fun!

NAVIGATION

---

Comments

A2 | NieR: Automata

[a2brutus]

First [I]mpressions, Closed to house 9

A2 isn't the sort to waste time. She's been... given a room to use, and while she's grateful, it seems unnecessary. A human should be using this, not her. An android has no right to try and mimic a human lifestyle, but the insistance was there all the same.

It's by her programming that she can't deny that very same insistance, even despite the awkward feeling in he blackbox. She wanders about the house, familiarizing herself with it as best she can. She's no scanner, there's not much innate curiousity for her, but there is the awe and stilted awkwardness that comes with finding out her housemates are also humans. It doesn't matter which of them she sees first, no matter who it is, they'll get an awkward salute, A2's left hand going over where her "heart" would be if she were human. She's silent, as per the rules, but after a few seconds, she grabs her device and taps out:

Glory to Mankind.

[M]oving In, OTA

A2 has exactly 0 material possessions. Her swords have been taken, and that leaves her with a whole lot of nothing to move in. But... Maybe you need help moving something into your house? A2 is quick to help, and as a combat android, she can easily lift far more weight than any human could ever hope too. Which should help when it comes to moving large, heavy objects liable to be dropped and make sound.

Soun[D] Eaters, Closed to Lilina Sanada

So. She's being paired with a human. That's fine, A2 has no qualms about that. She does, however, keep her hands to herself and keep to a respectable distance. They need to do repairs, though A2 doesn't have even the faintest idea of how to go about that. She's never had to actively be quiet before....

How are we supposed to do this?

Is what gets tapped out onto the device, as A2 desperately tries to wrack her brain for the answer. Sorry, Lilina. A2 is fucking useless.

[M]aybe we need to talk

[born2b]

This world is all so unfamiliar to her. There are humans everywhere. It feels like her world is tilting, overwhelmed by the circumstances before her arrival and being amongst humans, her creators. But this is a world of silence, quiet, like death.

She's grateful for a role, but the awkwardness of being amongst humans hasn't yet worn off.

But when she sees A2... her expression falters. There's no mistaking the other android, even with her shorter hair. No other android would have that much dirt and grime on them, and no other android would be in such a state of disrepair and still be functioning well. She doesn't know what to say. But she makes an attempt.

How are you here? Did 9S

She frowns and leaves the question unfinished as she holds up her device for A2 to read.

booo talking

[a2brutus]

It's a good thing that 2B was the first to "speak up", as it were, because as soon as A2 catches sight of the other android... She squints disbelievingly.

And continues squinting in disbelief even after 2B holds up the message, processors in a tizzy over the fact that someone who should be very much dead is alive. Eventually, A2 figures out it's probably smart to reply.

9S is fine. I looked after him just like you wanted.

A2 has a loose definition of "fine", unfortunately.

the other option is to hit each other

[born2b]

The relief is immediately apparent on 2B's face. Without the visor to hide her eyes, her expression is completely visible for once. Her hand curls around her device before she starts typing again.

Thank you, A2

Though she frowns after that, pensive, lips pursed as she thinks.

Were you killed?

The question she had asked one of the people before she was ushered away had resulted in an answer that confused her. She holds up her device for A2 to look.

[a2brutus]

What? No. But you were, from what I remember.

There is literally no reason that 2B should be here and standing in front of her. Like, none at all. She doesn't even look worse for wear, honestly. A2 doesn't like the feeling that looking at 2B brings.

here for the [d] eeeey

[bowrettes]

Don't look at her?!

Except, okay, when it comes to taking charge, Lilina is used to it, despite not knowing a damned thing herself. Someone has to be the adult around here, after all, even though they're both obviously (?) still teenagers. If her assigned partner is willing to defer to her authority (???) then she will simply have to take command.

Perhaps we can see how others are doing? And take inspiration from them?

It's not cheating if it's not a test!

[a2brutus]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Of course she's deferring! Her partner is a human, and that's who her core programming tells her to defer too. Still, it does seem like a good idea to watch what others are doing, even if A2 has never been very good about sitting still in one place and watching.

Don't worry about doing any of this, I'll take care of it for you once I know what I'm doing.

Humans shouldn't have to do menial labour when there's androids around anyway!

[bowrettes]

While Lilina would have normally appreciated not having to do any actual manual labor (especially considering it... isn't very good for her health), she cannot help but bristle slightly at the way her partner presents the offer. The last thing Lilina wants to be is useelss around here. Especially if they're all meant to be pulling their weight.

Hastily, she types out a response:

That's quite alright. Thank you for the offer, but I can manage just fine!

So there.

[a2brutus]

I'm not saying you can't. I'm saying you don't need too.

Is what A2 types back out, because she feels bad letting this human do any sort of labour while she's around. Obviously she knows humans are capable of a lot of things, but they shouldn't have to do things like this.

[M]y what big strong arms you have!

[saltsplash]

[Reigen's actually one to catch sight of A2 willingly helping out. He hadn't gotten a couch for the room he claimed just because he wasn't sure he could carry one without a racket, but after seeing her help someone else, he quickly waves her down once she walks back out. Though he doesn't just wait for the approach, walking right up, looking very impressed.]

[a2brutus]

Well, it's not every day that A2 gets willingly approached, considering her permanent scowl! But she really does appreciate being waved down, and she offers an awkward half wave back, not really knowing how to silently reciprocate a greeting.

Or you know, just reciprocate a greeting in general.

So she just cuts right to the point.

Need help?

[saltsplash]

[He nods! And types into his device.]

I was going to give up trying to carry a fridge into my place, but you're a pro! Mind if I borrow you for it?

whoops sorry abt the prose... im going to bed sweats

[a2brutus]

Don't mind at all. Don't know what a fridge is, though.

[There aren't any fridges where A2 comes from...]

first [i]mpressions

[ghostfluster]

[Rosa certainly looks human, since she's calm enough at the moment; depending how sensitive A2's sensors are, though, that illusion may not hold for long.

she looks pretty surprised by the greeting, and her hand wavers up for a second to try and return the gestures, before she decides that might be weird and rude and settles for a small wave back instead.]

hi, nice to meet you! what does that mean?

[a2brutus]

[Unfortunately, A2 is an older android model, and in a serious state of disrepair. Without a combat visor, anything that shows vitals of another is something that A2 can't see.

If it looks human, it's enough to fool her.]

It's a kind of greeting. Is it too much?

[ghostfluster]

[she shakes her head hastily. she didn't mean to make someone feel awkward as a first interaction!]

just unfamliliar, im more used to just 'hi' or 'good afternoon' or 'sup' or things like that

i think we're justfrom very different places maybe? there's a lot going on

but it really is mnice to meet you. i'm rosa, rosa torres

[I]zaya [I]s [I]ntrigued..

[unconventionallove]

[Izaya's apartment back home had been fairly minimalist in terms of furniture. That being said, he moves in quickly before setting out to meet any new roommates who might be around. The house is large- far more sprawling in its floor plan than those of even the more wealthy of his clients.

It's starting to feel like he's alone when a white-haired woman catches his eye. Izaya watches her salute then start typing, so he waits for her message to come first. The phrasing gives him pause. He blinks a few times then, face breaking into an amused grin, types back.]

What a greeting! Is it customary where you come from?

[a2brutus]

Yes. For us androids, anyway.

[A2 has no problems with telling humans that she's an android thankfully. That way it's... less weird when they tell her how human like she is, which she got enough of back when she was first rolled out.]

You're human, right?

[unconventionallove]

[Izaya doesn't attempt to mask his surprise, but despite his intrigued expression he makes no comment with regard to the reveal.]

That's right. Do I look like I could be something else? [His eyes glint with humor.]


(No worries!! Sorry for taking forever to reply!)

house 9

[defectpilot]

[The message is confusing and Bodhi stares at it for a long, awkward period of time before looking back at the housemate who typed it. He's carrying a pair of bedrolls he found in another building, barely more than a couple inches thick but better than sleeping straight on the floor.

After taking in her salute, his expression softens into just uncertainty, and he offers her one of the bed rolls.]

[a2brutus]

[A2 stares at the bedroll for a moment before she simply shakes her head, tapping onto the device once again.]

Keep it. I don't need sleep.

[defectpilot]

[Bodhi sets both rolls down, giving her another confused look. He isn't sure if she means that literally or if she is just being self-sacrificing, but if he assumes the former...

He pulls his device out to respond in kind.]

How is that possible? [And realizing that might be a little rude, he quickly types out another message.]

My name is Bodhi. Are you staying in this building, too?

Wild[c]ard: Party Time

[fortheflowers]

6O comes away from the party with the relieving knowledge that 2B is here as well and the comfort of having a desert rose to hold. It's far more intricate than photographs ever did justice to, and the sensation of running her fingertips over the white mineral ridges is oddly comforting. She recalls once reading of a human practice of carrying a worry stone; she supposes this is her worry rose.

She is playing with it when first she sets eyes on A2, her attention largely internal and on the network between the devices they've been given. The rose simply gives her something to do with fingers that itch for a keyboard and a terminal for which the device is a poor substitute. A2 is a familiar shape, so similar to the rest of the female YoRHa units, and with the white hair, 6O simply assumes that she's 2B - except that she's headed for the door. Is she leaving early?

Concerned and curious, 6O pulls her attention off the network and rises from her seat. She slips the stone into her pocket and heads after A2. When she catches up, she can only really stare for a few moments in solid confusion. Three things strike her: 1. This is not 2B; 2. Why the heck is she undressing?; and 3. She really, really needs repairs! Her poor skin...!

[a2brutus]

A2 knows she's been followed, but she doesn't really think anything of it. She looks weirder than the humans there, so if it's because one of them wants to subtly ask her what's up with her, A2 doesn't actually mind.

Or, she doesn't until she pulls the jumper off over her head, and turns to face her stalker, scowl still permanently etched into her face.

Can I help you with something? Is what she signs, motions fluid from downloaded data.

[fortheflowers]

6O's hands stutter a moment, as she tries to say several different things and - as a result - manages to sign nothing at all. So she stops and takes a breath.

And then signs like twenty thousand questions all in a row as she stares at A2, wondering why her face looks so familiar. This isn't 2B but 6O would recognize that face anywhere, and she's quite perplexed.

Sorry for disturbing you! Why are you taking your clothes off? Are you all right? You look like you were just in a battle! I'm afraid I don't have any materials to repair you, but maybe I can help anyway?