interstellar5555 | ☆MINGLE IN THE CITY

Who: NEWBIES FROM EVERYWHERE.
What: More rescuers and musicians have arrived. This is a non specific mingle log for whatever you want to do that is intro related!
When: March 9th, 2055
Where: Anywhere in Vista City!
Warnings: Could be anything, or possibly nothing.

☆VISTA CITY

You'll quickly notice that Vista City comes with multiple levels - the ground level, that actually touches the earth, and then a second level of streets and walkways that occurs halfway up the mountainous buildings. Cars streak down both sets of speedways, and the signs of life scatter every inch of the towers surrounding you. At the same time, though, a city of this magnitude leaves a lot of nooks and crannies left frequently unseen - something you'll definitely have to take advantage of. In the outer ring of the city the population is less dense than it gets towards the center, so at the least it gives you the opportunity to get your bearings.

You'll find that there is no shortage of people stalking around in the darkness, even as the sun sets and night totally takes hold. A lot of them are dressed pretty funny, too, and any insecurities you had about looking ridiculous can tentatively be put aside. The costumes you were left do allow you to blend in about as well as you could hope. You've been advised to avoid talking to locals as much as possible, at least until you've figured things out better. There is a notable absence of homeless people on the streets, which could mean any number of things.

RESCUERS WILL BE GIVEN THE FOLLOWING LOOT:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING: if your character doesn’t already speak English, they will be given some time with a crown like technological device that seems the be able to psychically teach people languages at a rapid pace. Whatever has been enabling communication so far won’t cover you once you enter the city, so it’s important that you’re prepared. How easily a person’s brain accepts this information will vary based on unseen neurological factors, and can range from perfect fluency to an uneasy second language. (On an OOC level, whether or not your character struggles with picking up English is completely up to you.) Most of this training will be done on the trip to Tera.
THEIR DESIGNATED TOOLS: any items your character was designated on your application will be given to them now. They’ll have some degree of choice in what they get, but everything is limited in supply. There are manuals for everything, but how much you can be fucked to read them will vary. Also, some of them aren’t in English or anything else even remotely recognizable.
COMMUNICATION DEVICES: Everybody will get a communicator, which are worn around the back of your ear and project a holographic field over your eyes when activated. The device itself must be manually switched on with your fingers, and from there on out your exact method of controlling it depends on the settings. Some of the more basic functions can be manipulated with “brain waves” (though nothing very complicated) and the rest is mostly voice or touch activated, though you can also set it up to be controlled with blinking and eye movement if you are a “pro”. Its functions include voice, voice-to-text, and a sort of janky manual text mode that you have to touch the screen to use. Video chat is not available, though it is capable of recording video from your POV to be shared manually after the fact. It can also share still images. Various channels can be set up and accessed, both private and public, much like a Teamspeak server is used in gaming.
HOLO EMITTERS (LIMITED): The amount of these available are limited by “plot convenience.” Do you want your character to have to struggle with their alien appearance to get by constantly? Then imagine there wasn’t enough of them to go around and your character was unlikely or benevolent enough to not receive one. Would you rather they have access to one? Then you can have one. A holo emitter is capable of projecting a holographic image around your character and disguising their appearance, the complexity of which is entirely up to you. The major problems with it are that 1) it can’t conceal things that the hologram doesn’t actually touch – cow horns could be covered in a hologram to look like a hat, but it couldn’t make them look as if there is nothing there at all, and 2) the holograms have no mass, and so if anyone tries to touch them they’ll realize they are just light projections. Also, like most of the equipment, they only work for a few hours before running out of power.
AMERICANA DISGUISES: Clothing, make up, the works – everything the average joe needs to pass themselves off as a resident of Vista City. Outfits are perhaps a bit more eccentric and flashy than you’re used to...or maybe a bit less, depending where you come from. Either way, it’s a specific look, and there should be enough here to accommodate new outfits for all the humanoids. If you’re a horse, you’re sort of on your own. What your character ends up with is up to you, though “space rave” is a good way to describe common aesthetics. There are also a lot of hooded coats, hats, and other articles that would be good for hiding inhuman characteristics.
RATIONS: Enough food at water, tightly compact, to last everyone for a few days. It’s going to start to run out quickly, though, so the group is going to need some breadwinners sooner rather than later.
FAKE IDS: Complete with each individual's image (or a human approximation) and a made up name. It's enough info to get a job with, they'll explain, if you can manage it. Avoid pushing the forgery's limits, though, if you can. Silver and Gold made them themselves so they expect they are excellent quality, but you can never be too careful.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The first thought that Rei has when she comes around the corner and blunders into the sight of Michiru is one of sheer, utter panic. She seizes up, suddenly stricken, standing bolt upright like a scolded schoolgirl. Which was ridiculous, of course, but that was how she felt. It was one thing to get a flash of thought, a memory of music and a stormy sea, and quite another to come across the centerpiece of that vision talking about buying dresses.

Nevermind that she's disguised, in a Japanese Pro-Baseball cap, a red leather jacket, and jeans, completely against her usual image. She has no idea what to do right now...]

I...

[ the disguise may have rei dressed completely against her usual image, but the young woman is still striking enough that michiru recognizes her immediately. she turns slightly, away from the window, to face her, and for a moment isn't sure herself how to react.

she hadn't anticipated on encountering her so quickly.

there's a beat of silence, and michiru internally curses the blunder, before fixing rei with a carefully arranged smile and continuing - nonchalant. ]

What do you think? The yellow or blue one?

[Right. She's on the street. They can't talk here. Rei's head screeches at her to just be cool, play along. Breathe, girl. You can do this.]

I think...the blue would...suit you best. Yellow might clash.

That's what I was thinking, too.

[ michiru turns back to the window, as if ready to dismiss this conversation entirely, before she glances back at rei with a thoughtful little look. ]

You look awfully familiar. I'm Nerissa- have we met?

[Rei frowned a little bit, meeting Nerissa’s eyes and staring hard at her for a few moments. She wanted to say ‘that’s not your name’ but it wasn’t the place for it. They could be overheard. They probably would be overheard really. Her bodyguards were always lurking, though not too close.]

I’m…Rei Hino. [She smiles awkwardly.] From Flowers over Bones. The…band? Maybe you saw me on television.

[Trying to sound like a proud rock star…failing miserably.]

Ah, that must be it!

[ to michiru's credit, she does a good job of seeming like she's suddenly very impressed. ]

I've heard quite a lot about your band. Will you be performing again soon?

Absolutely. We've got a small concert planned at the Vista City Gardens on Friday. I...get to play piano, instead of just violin. You should come, if you're free.

[Hint, hint. She's reaching into her bag and taking out paper slips. Tickets. ]

I...actually have some promotional tickets, if you're interested.

I would be! Do you mind if I take a few? I know how cross my friends would be if I couldn't bring them along.

[ as troublesome as all of this is, it's clear that rei is working with them, not against them, and michiru can't be anything but incredibly grateful for that. ]

Piano and violin... you must be very talented.

Absolutely. How many do you think you might need? The last thing I want is upset friends.

[She's taking out a small notepad, making a few scribbles, ostensibly a guest list. In actuality though:]

I know you are Michiru Kaioh. I remember you are allied with Serena, Alex, and Di. Minako. I only remember her name and yours. I'm not able to speak freely, I have a bodyguard a block back. I will help you how I can. Alex knows the most.

If you don't mind giving me names for the guest list?

Absolutely. [ michiru will take the pen from her, scribbling down with an expression that seems mostly just grateful. how lucky she is to run into a star like this! free tickets: what an opportunity! ]

Be patient and be strong. We are going to bring you home.

[ she straightens up, handing the pen back. ]

I play violin, too. Maybe someday we'll play in front of a crowd together.

[Rei nods and plucks out a few more tickets, adding what's probably an autograph. Along with a message. ]

I trust you to. I don't remember much, but my band figured out we've been brainwashed. I need to make sure they get out too. We're counting on you.

Maybe we will. That would be nice, I like tandem practices.

Do you...want to check the fitting on that dress? I was heading into the same shop.

[ michiru smiles at the message. it'd be too suspicious if she kept writing, but hopefully she's able to convey an affirmative here. yes: rei is the priority, but they won't leave this place if there's still something they can do to help the others. ]

Would you mind? [ she glances at the door to the shop. ] I'd love an outsider's opinion on how it looks.

Not at all. If you don't mind doing the same for me. I have a little get together tonight and I wanted something that pops.

[She's already starting towards the door.]

Do you have a favorite color? I bet there isn't a cut of dress that doesn't flatter you, hm? I'm a little envious already.

[ she'll hold it open for rei, as if quietly pleased to be doing a favor for a celebrity. ]

Red. It's always been red.

[And she feels like that's the same in any world.]

[ hopefully it's not too strange if michiru seems pleased by that answer. ]

I had a feeling. We'll find something for you.

☆MINGLE IN THE CITY

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tallying my ac made me realize how many threads i dropped PLS FEEL FREE to ignore the ancient tag

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