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!]

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[It may be after the third or fourth time Emily's been glancing at a different shop window, that she's called out from behind.]

Ah, excuse me, ma'am!

[The younger woman approaching is sporting glasses, dressed casually in a grey jacket and knee-length skirt that could give the vague impression of an office lady. The clothes may also be recognizable from similar articles handed out by ADI to all upon arrival, though the newcomer doesn't miss a beat as she continues in seemingly high spirits.]

I couldn't help but notice you looking around. Are you searching for something in particular?

[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?

[swathes of red cover wanda's hands as the swirls command the flow of time, reversing back to fifteen seconds and allowing for the seagull to revisit its plans of enterprise one more time. even as it swoops downwards as it had originally planned—to take the sandwich from the woman's hands—a rather pointed twirl of her fingers has red painting the irises of the bird.

it changes course suddenly, veering away and flying off into the distance.

wanda looks up to make eye contact with emily, immediately pocketing her hands inside her coat and keeping on walking. it's just sad to see someone's lunch go, you know?]

[Aelwyn approaches her and with the confidence of an extravert just casually takes a seat across from her. She has her own coffee that she places down and with an easy smile she'll speak up.]

I don't believe I've seen you before. You're part of the new batch, yes?

Miss?

[ his voice may come out of nowhere, a sudden interruption in the middle of a private moment, a return to reality. he doesn't like to pry (well ok that's a lie, he loves to pry) but the sight of seeing someone step into water, to go further out past the line where the waves hit, fills him with unease. as if she may march into the sea at any moment.

irrational, yes, but most fears are.

he stands by the edge of the water dressed in jogging clothes - a t-shirt, shorts, sneakers - stopping his daytime run to address her. she doesn't look like she's ready for a swim. ]

Is everything ok?

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.

[suddenly, what was misery turns on its heel, and Emily can only wonder for a moment before she makes eye contact with the other woman. a sense of certainty grips her, and clutching tight to the (formerly) ill fated sandwich, she speeds up her steps to follow her.]

Wait, please!

[please turn back around, if only for a moment.]

[with a motion so smooth it's almost practiced, the notebook is shut and slid off the table, to take up its usual home in her satchel. even in these more modern clothes, it feels right to be wearing it on ADI premises - a touch of the familiar, in all the unfamiliar.]

Yes, miss - I'm one of ADI's newest recruits. I only arrived a few days ago.

[certainly not, dressed in a turtleneck and a long skirt, shoes clutched in her hand. and with someone's unfamiliar voice, it's like surfacing from an illusion, and Emily starts where she's standing, turning in place to see who called out to her.

the gentleman by the water doesn't deserve her look of shock and surprise, but he gets it, as she's shaking her head to clear it out. what on earth was wrong with her?]

Yes, I suppose it is now.

[try to pretend everything is fine, that she can recover from this. trudging out of the water, she's dismayed to find that a portion of her skirt is soaked now, but it is what it is. it will dry, eventually.]

Very kind of you to check, though.

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?]

Oh, sorry for interrupting. Is that a diary? [She gestures toward the satched that the woman suddenly stored the notebook in. She takes a sip of her coffee, still going for casual even if the sudden reaction is... intriguing.]

Well, introductions should be made I believe. I'm Aelwyn. What's your name?

[ A sharp, snorting guffaw of laughter punctuates the sandwich's regrettable departure. Danny's watched tourists lose food to the scrappy sky rats back in SC, but it's apparently just as funny here in Gloucester. ]

[ This laughter is of course abruptly cut off; he doesn't know Emily yet, but he can tell at a glance she's a nice lady who probably doesn't deserve a scruffy young guy like him giggling about her misfortunes. ]

Sorry, just. [ He coughs softly and sheepishly musses his flyaway hair with one hand. ] I love those dumb birds. Are you alright?

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.]

Emily Dyer. The pleasure is all mine, Miss Aelwyn.

[the smile she gives her is polite, calm. whatever was irritating her or setting her on edge earlier seems to have vanished, firmly banished with another sip of her coffee.]

I was merely taking notes. We've been given such a vast quantity of information in such a short amount of time that a reference list only seems like the sensible course of action. That, and without a different list, I should never fully recall what I'd like to do with my new room.

[basic furnishings were just that - basic. the only way to feel properly established was to find personal touches to add. that, as well as the fact that they're unlikely to be sent away swiftly, made it worth considering the effort.]

[ PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - Confusion strikes across her soft face, and yet it doesn't seem to be *aimed* at you.
EMPATHY [Challenging: Success] - Was her walk out into the water intentional? It should be from how far in she went, but then why does something seem off? ]

Are you sure? Maybe you should sit down, away from the water.

[it's easier sometimes, when people decide to ignore her because her powers make them worry or scare them in some way. instead, when wanda is confronted with a person who actively asks (politely, too) for her to stop—she finds herself unable to simply walk away.

perhaps it a yearning for connection; maybe it's the hope that some day she will do good by others. whatever it is, her heart beats tense in worry.

it shows on her face, as she turns around and waits for emily.]

...I wouldn't recommend eating out here.

[and sometimes she's so damn awkward.]

[the laughter only adds to her dismay - not only was she made a fool of by a bird, someone witnessed it. nothing more than embarrassment to fill the void of hunger. wonderful. turning to look in the young man's direction, Emily at least can maintain a neutral expression of slight disappointment, rather than the upset she really feels. enduring until dinner won't be pleasant, but it'll be easier than having to get a replacement.]

I'm unharmed, if that's what you mean. I worry more that the bird will choke in its eagerness than anything else...

[seagulls know nothing of boundaries or what they should do. if that one gets mobbed by its friends all trying to get bread or the like, that's its problem.]

That...would likely be for the best.

[moving further out of the water, and walking attempts to push away the tiredness that clings to her bones like saltwater does her skirt. not entirely successful - when did she get so exhausted? has it really all decided to fall apart at this moment? - but at least she still has energy to get past the waterline and safely onto dry sand. slowly, Emily lowers herself to sit, and looks up at the man, trying to not let her mind get the best of her.]

Forgive me for causing you any worry. I'm not quite what sure came over me.

[what meets her worry is sincere gratitude in Emily's smile. almost as a reflex, Emily knows how to ease a conversation, how to smooth things over and make it a little easier for both parties, particularly when facing down discomfort - it helps when she's also just seen something incredible take place.]

Advice I'll take to heart, without doubt. But I feel I owe you thanks for more than just a few kind words.

[there's no fear in her voice - more curiosity, the sound of someone truly amazed by what they just witnessed.]

[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.]

(small homelessness talk cw!)

No, no, I meant, like, was that all you had?

[ He's dropped all the laughter at this point, now that it's quickly becoming obvious Emily's not remotely in a laughing mood. He's had more days like this than he can care to count, when some stroke of misfortune left him hungry for the rest of the day, if not longer. It's a horrible feeling, and honestly he feels guilty for laughing at her now. ]

[ He didn't know, though, so he's not going to let himself get too down about it, as long as he can try to make up. ]

You look pretty upset is all.

Edited 2021-09-23 03:02 (UTC)

[his sudden seriousness is a bit alarming. really, once the initial shock and internal pang of embarrassment fades, she'll have a charming anecdote to relate as a tale of caution to others. a bit heartbreaking in the moment, but nothing to lament.]

Do I? It's nothing entirely serious, in the grand scheme of things - sorry to alarm you.

[the squawking of the birds, though, seems to be getting louder. others seem to have noticed that one of their brothers has snagged something decent, and they are beginning to descend.]

[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?]

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(log, open) brave new world

docks - shop windows

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docks

canteen

beach

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Docks - RIP sandwich 😔

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