(log, open) brave new world

[medicative]

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!]

Comments

[septieme]

[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.]

[medicative]

...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.]

[septieme]

...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.]

[medicative]

...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.]

[septieme]

...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...]

[medicative]

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.

[septieme]

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.

[medicative]

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.]

[septieme]

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?

[medicative]

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.]

[septieme]

[That's a rather... workaholic answer, isn't it?]

Hehe. That sounds like something a diligent doctor would say. Are you with the medical department by any chance, miss Dyer?

[medicative]

I am, as it happens. Is it terribly obvious?

[this, at least, makes her smile a little.]

[septieme]

The biggest hint was the Latin just now. A medical worker's mission and vow would stay the same no matter where they are, no wonder your commitment and resolve are so strong despite the transfer!

[The returning smile is bright and wide, and truth is no flattery, in her opinion! But a nurse or doctor, or something like that? The job would fit a serious person like miss Dyer well, she thinks, but that idle thought can stay where it is.]

[medicative]

[she bows her head a little - modesty prevailing for the moment.]

It's more that I know what I can do, and whenever getting hired at a new job, one wants to be put somewhere they can do their best, yes?

[septieme]

That just proves my point, you don't waiver! I'm a little envious, aha. I'm still trying to figure out how I can do my best here, the security department isn't really straightforward about our "mission statement"... But I'd just be making excuses if I keep thinking that way, so I have to focus too. It'll probably come to me with time and experience, so I've been familiarizing myself with the town in the meanwhile. Do you have any preference between office work and field work, if it's okay for me to ask?

[In the end, talking about work ended up feeling the easiest and most natural... Ah well, no need to dwell on such a particular detail, right?]

[medicative]

It's perfectly alright, Miss Ciel. Please, you needn't be shy about questions - it's helping me keep my wits about me.

[it gives her something else to focus on than distorted reflections, the feeling of her own body wanting to betray her.]

I suppose I'm uniquely poised between the office and the field, truthfully. While my department is willing to be right there as support, ready to assist how we can, we also function well in the context of our home base, so to speak. Thus, it's unlikely that we'd be sent out and forward on a mission unless someone was requesting a field medic, as I understand it. But in service, we go where we're most needed.