apocalypsehowcomm | (log, open) brave new world

Entry tags:

(log, open) brave new world

Who: Emily Dyer and open.
When: 9/18 to the beginning of the event.
Where: ADI headquarters, the docks, the beach.
Summary: Getting acclimated to the new world, and trying to get up to speed.
Warnings: To be added if needed.

adi - working.

[really, there was so much to take in that it made Emily's head spin. but a few things had stuck out with the utmost clarity - first, that if she did nothing, it may contribute to the end of the world. and second, that these were the first breaths of free air that she'd had in such a long time. with that, the choice was easy, and here she was now, vaguely wondering why she had been so ready to offer information about what she could do for them. adapting, once more, to the unfamiliar.

so it is that she's in the headquarters, walking about with the telltale unease of someone unfamiliar, in general perusing but also finding areas to call home. most likely though, she'll be in the medical facilities, growing accustomed to the new types of technology but also getting situated in terms of scheduling and patients. with her name up on the rota, it means she is once again gainfully employed and cleared to actually see people. alternately, Emily might be in the canteen for a break, nursing a cup of coffee by the window and writing in a notebook - but she's still a little jumpy, attuned to glancing up when people walk by as if she expects something of them.]

docks - moving.

[one can't stay cooped up forever - who would want to, when allowed enough freedom to move about? true, Emily considers herself honorbound to stay in the town's limits, but even that is something exceptional. being out on the street, with people, with sunlight that felt real and true, is a gift. so it is that she goes exploring and ends up in this side of town, wandering with true and honest awe. sometimes she lingers a bit too long looking into shop windows before moving on, not wanting to simply go in and browse as a waste of time, but clearly affected by something. other times, she's struck by the lights and sounds of an arcade, admiring the condition or narrowly avoiding a collision with an overzealous child, having to redirect them back to their parents.

much of walking, then, eventually ends with leaning against a railing to watch the water and the boats go, content to breathe in the air and try to calm her nerves. nothing had happened yet, but she can't shake the feeling of talk of all those Entities from her mind, and the worry is plainly writ on her face. even ending up with a sandwich to think that food might help her isn't entirely aiding, and her doubts are sensed by an enterprising seagull. with all the hubris a bird can contain, it swoops down and snatches it from her, leaving her holding the paper.]

Hey!

[this? this is laughable, miserable luck. but for the seagull, it's a win.]

beach - thoughts.

[walking along the shore is another pleasant experience, with the daylight and the sound of the waves. one might find it irresistible to shed their shoes and go walking along the water line, as free as if she was a schoolgirl again. that there's no one else out there makes it all the better, and Emily feels like she can finally relax. closing her eyes, feeling the breeze rush over and the water come up to her ankles, it's as though she can actually remember what it's like to not be stressed.

her guard lowers, and she's half humming, half singing to herself an old familiar tune, like the ones she used to hum while doing rounds. there's exhaustion on the edge of her consciousness, but when has there ever not been? how long has it been since she let herself be still for a moment? walking a little further into the surf, it feels comforting.

yes, coming to this place may have been unsettling, and still is, but she's beginning to feel a little bit hopeful.]

wildcard.

[ooc: have another idea of something you want that's not specified? throw it at me, and I'm more than happy to oblige! you can contact me at

moonjelly or via pm.

please note that the windows prompt in the docks may lead into the mirror, mirror prompt from the tdm, and the beach prompt may lead into haunting tunes.

will match format of either brackets or prose!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[had she been that obvious? or was she letting the vague echoes of other things dictate what held her gaze for so long? it was hard to say, and Emily still has to manage a polite smile, a gentle tone.]

Not necessarily, it's simply very charming, is all. It's been some time since I had the luxury of window shopping like this. And there's a lot to take in.

[they have to be discreet, after all. one can't simply talk about other worlds in public. that said, the stranger might recognize her face from ADI orientation - her clothes would be inoffensive in any environment, casually walking or an office, chosen specifically to be neutral.]

I suppose I find myself getting lost in thought more often than not.

Hehe, I sort of get what you mean. I didn't used to have much free time to look around, not until I moved here recently because of the new job. It is a relief though, to see that this city isn't too different!

[Her company agrees jovially, if not maybe a bit too energetically. Nothing about either of them particularly stands out though, just a couple of gals out in ~~creepy~~ town.

...That is, considering that ADI isn't exactly overstaffed and they did both arrive very recently, odds are they've both seen each other around before at least once already. Wouldn't hurt for co-workers to become better acquainted sooner rather than later, right? She should introduce herself, but more "importantly"--]

Would you like to step inside any shop and get a closer look, ma'am? That sort of thing can get awkward by yourself, but maybe it won't be as bad if we went together?

Do you think they'll mind, even if we don't end up purchasing anything? I'd hate to be a waste of the shopkeeper's time...ah, but perhaps our presence would be enough to draw in someone else who could make up our shortfall.

[think positive, Emily! perhaps it will drive the specters of strange sights from her mind, and give a better tint to the day.]

As it's your idea, and because we're both new, why don't you pick the first shop to go into? I hardly know where to begin with all these choices, after all.

That's just part of business, I'm sure the shopkeepers are used to whimsical customers. We could get something small and cheap too, if you think you may really have trouble sleeping tonight otherwise?

[Ciel is happy to play along, quite at ease joking about some poor shopkeeper's prospective missed sales coming up in their near future. It's not like they're in any wealthy part of town anyway, judging by the state of buildings in this district. The owners here ought to know how to temper their expectations, right...?]

Okay, that's fair. How aboout...

[Let's see, what do we have here... A clothing shop, an electronic goods shop, a bakery, a fast food joint, a grocery, this street is pretty varied--]

--That one? There seems to be plenty of other shoppers too, so I bet you no one will notice us even if we don't get anything!

[She's pointing at the general store.

...At least it's got the highest variance in type and use of merchandise sold, which may count for something?]

That one it is.

[and she's right in the sense that there are other shoppers, so no one would notice two browsing women trying to not reveal how new it all was to them. the bright red building stands out like a beacon, and stepping indoors, Emily's pleasantly surprised to see how old fashioned it still is - not as stark and modern as some buildings in this town are.

but more than the building, what draws her eye are the occasional cards by the merchandise - saying where it came from and from who, if possible.]

Oh, look-

[it's an innocent thing to get excited over, laminated cards that declare proudly how much of the wares are locally sourced. yet, even they can cast a small reflection, when the light hits right, and there it is back again - something wrong, on the fleeting glimpse she sees. it's enough to dim her smile, and she tears her eyes away in a quick motion, a little too much of a jerk to be natural.

calm down, she tells herself. don't lose your head to the first thing you see.]

[As relatively confident as she is that she could pull off the flighty "Just Browsing" Window Shopper at any store convincingly, drumming up girlish excitement over clothes and accessories may be too much, especially in company. Those sort of frivolities are useless, and given their circumstances, they were in no position to waste money. At least with a general store, there's the possibility of coming across something practical enough for purchase?

...Which just makes it all the more striking, that her companion is pointing out the laminated cards over anything else in the shop. As easy as it could be to brush that not-quite-right flick off as a speck of their overactive imagination (or maybe just a case of the nerves? Most people wouldn't take getting kidnapped to a whole new world well, one could hardly be blamed), that would be too convenient, too ideal. A bad premonition invites a bad reality, and while she understands the importance of not staring too long into the Abyss, it would be naive too, to ignore it completely.

But what can they possibly do, two women out in public inside a general store? Would something really happen here? ...No, that's not a good way to approach it. If, were something to happen--]

--Goodness, I got so carried away that I almost forgot to introduce myself. I'm sorry about that, aha. My name is Ciel. May I ask for yours, too?

[A momentary distraction, perhaps, but maybe it could thin out the subtle sense of disquiet that's begun encroaching upon what should be a completely ordinary piece of everyday life.]

[the question's nothing short of a lifeline. a thread of normalcy against whatever's going on with reflections. perhaps she should avert her eyes, ask when she goes to headquarters again what on earth is really happening. someone, somewhere, should have an idea.]

Not to worry, Miss Ciel, I got a little swept away myself. My name is Emily Dyer, and it's a pleasure.

[focus. focus. it's hardly fitting behavior for her to fall apart over a little hallucination.

she can do this.]

It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Dyer. I apologize if this may be a bit forward, but did you stumble upon a new workplace too, recently? I feel like I may have caught glimpses of you around where I live also, actually...

[Let's keep this train of conversation going then, even if it may be getting a little personal as much as they seem to be raking up similarities. Still, as both tenants assigned to apartment block C, neighbours would get used to seeing each other sooner or later, wouldn't they?]

If you're suspecting that we're coworkers, Miss Ciel, then I can confirm your thoughts. I believe I saw you at orientation - though with all the information the company decided to hand us, forgive me for not being more social. I got lost in notetaking and trying to hit the ground running.

[it's enough to let Ciel know that she's correct - and to express her own disorientation with being whisked away to another world without sounding strange about it. true, ADI did hand them quite a lot to take in, but more than that is adjusting to the year, the place. thankfully, there were a few outworlders who were willing to help her understand a little more, before letting her go out on the town.]

So we are in a similar situation! No no, it was a lot to take in, I completely understand. If anything, it must be strange for me to get excited over something like this, so I should be the one to apologize instead. It's just nice to not be alone in such a sudden change in our situation, ahaha... It was a lot to process!

[She chuckles sheepishly, folding her hands over her abdomen as she situates herself inconspicuously between Emily and the next row of merchandise, maybe obstructing the view to more of those oddly reflective plates they're walking past in the process. Impossible to get everything, but a few is probably still better than nothing...?]

Hardly something you need to apologize for. I'm more comfortable working in a team, anyway - and it's a little awkward, isn't it, when you're the only new person?

[the conversation, mundane as it is, is helping her focus. things without reflections are fair game to see, and without that plaguing her, her confidence can return.]

You can understand then that it's all been a little less about window shopping, and a little more about trying to get acclimated to this town.

Yes, like feeling a little out of place no matter where you go and what you do. Getting started does tend to be the most difficult part, but I think we'll do fine with a bit more time and effort!

[She nods, smile still gentle and easy in part thanks to the smooth introductions exchanged.]

It's nice and convenient that both can be done at the same time, so we should take advantage of it. What do you think of Gloucester so far, miss Dyer?

[She considered for a beat to ask about the various goods in the store, but... hmm, maybe later. There'll be less looking around, this way.]

Despite everything, I find it quite lovely so far. Not so busy a place that one would feel impossible to breathe, but not so small that everyone knows everyone's business. As for the rest, give me a little longer to get a proper impression of things.

I can agree to that! The rhythm of everyday life here isn't too quick or slow, so it's not hard to follow along. America really does feel more hectic though, the rumours exaggerated less than I expected. Even though we both agreed that the city's pace isn't that oppressive... Hmm. I wonder why I can't shake the impression?

[She wrinkles her nose subtly as she cups her chin with a hand thoughtfully, eyes trailing back to the rows of goods on sale without thinking. --Oh, is this the snacks aisle? They're surrounded by candy bars and cookie boxes and such, all fronted by a price tag trapped behind faintly reflective surfaces protective plastic tags sometimes possess. Some of the fancier packaging manage to catch light too, here and there.

...]

Perhaps it's the...aura...

[Emily's voice trails off as she sees something, hand on reflex creeping up to touch her face. picking up one of the packages, she angles it to try to make out the blurry, vague shape - it is her face, and not her face, and the inexact picture only makes it worse. under her hands, it's only flesh, and yet the agitation grows in her, only easing when she screws her eyes shut. don't look, but how can one help it?]

[With Emily seemingly picking up a random bag of candy, Ciel's attention is drawn to it as well. The packaging barely manages to reflect her face, but it really was impossible to ignore the unnatural red glint of something in equal parts familiar and alien. ...It shouldn't be possible, and she knows, realistically. There's something... off, but it doesn't strike a chord with her fight or flight reflexes; whatever this is, she thinks... The danger isn't physical. Maybe. Her senses aren't what they used to be, and if she wants them honed again, then according to hearsay...

...]

--Ah, mint candy! Do you like sweets, Mrs. Dyer?

[For this is what she's holding in her hand, a bag of packaged, wrapped mints. That's all it is, so focus on the content, not whatever else that... They probably should try getting away from sometimes soon, hm.]

...it's Miss.

[quiet, strained. smooth skin beneath her fingers, and the festering rot in her vague reflection. it's not real, it's not real, but it won't go away, and part of her wants to shut her eyes until it's all over.]

...Miss Dyer, right. I'm sorry about that, aha. Just "Ciel" is enough for me, but you can go with whichever you prefer?

[The chuckle is sheepish and she ducks briefly in apology.]

I was thinking of picking up some snacks and tea for our living quarters or at the office, but there's no rush to that errand either. Would you happen to have suggestions? If not, maybe we can come back some other time?

[They shouldn't linger, move. She doesn't know what would catch up if they stay still, but... Best to not find out, hm.]

...I have a question for you before that, though my apologies for how strange this will sound.

[still in that tone. putting down the item she had - oh, she had barely registered what it was, but it was going to torture her should she look longer.]

Are you - no, perhaps I should phrase it like this. Have you heard of people seeing things, in the mirror? Things that can't possibly be real but are right there in their sight?

[things that made her want to claw at it only to remove it, and it's only iron control that keeps her steady now.]

...No, not at all. We're both still trying to find our footing here, and there's no silly questions when we're still learning.

[The boisterous energy she seems to be forcing just earlier fades. Blue eyes are attentive and serious, despite the small smile on her lips and her still casual demeanour.]

Where I used to be from, I've heard of various unusual stories, but it's different after moving here. Orientation did briefly warn about general strange happenings, I think. When I was in the office yesterday, I also saw mirrors being covered here and there, but I couldn't find anyone to ask about why. Maybe it wasn't for renovation work after all.

[Almost as if throwing jokes into the mix, but that would explain a few things, considering their immediate predicament...]

That's something of a great relief, then. It means I'm not losing my mind simply by coming here.

[and she means it, though the words are hushed given their setting. but one never has a proper avenue to discuss potential lapses of sanity, much less when the topic comes up in public. at least mint candies never seem to divulge secrets.

closing her eyes briefly, Emily looks momentarily exhausted, but rallies herself back to the cause.]

If it's not me, then it's something external, and that means it can either be mitigated or handled.

Considering the how of our transfer, I think it's at least within our reasonable rights to question anything we find strange, aha. [She answers placatingly with a faint heave of her shoulders, giving the aisle another sweep and willing herself to not zone in on anything unusual. Focusing on choosing innocuous and ordinary wording does take some effort, which helps in not dwelling on the odd flick here and there that she's very much also seeing.]

But I disagree with that, at least partially. It's still good to speak up about anything that bothers you no matter how weird you think it may sound, miss Dyer, even if it was just you. This could be like carsickness or allergies, you know? We're all out of our element here, so it wouldn't be unusual if everyone gets affected by various things in their own different ways. And we'd never know what's what, if we don't try talking about it.

Yet nausea, allergies, all have their own cures. And if my condition's so compromised by the journey, it is only to my detriment. I'd like to hit the ground running - not have to spend time perilously affected by travel.

[she sighs, but with her eyes shut, she's collecting herself.]

Can we really be sure that everything you were used to before it still applicable? Not all of it has to be different, of course, that one plus one equals two won't suddenly change just because we've moved. But things obviously work differently here, so we could ask around a bit more before drawing any definitive conclusions of our own. Other coworkers at HQ, maybe?

[...]

If it's okay for me to ask, miss Dyer, why do you seem to be in a rush to get used to things?

Because the sooner I'm acclimated to my surroundings and back to standard, the sooner I can be of better help. Cura ipsum - care for yourself, so you might be capable of caring for others.

[and the sooner she was working, the less disoriented in this place she would feel. it would give her a direction, something proper to focus on in the midst of uncertainty.]

(log, open) brave new world

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