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[umbralant]

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Good morning.

Or perhaps it might be more appropriate to say good evening instead, considering how it is moonlight that will rouse you into consciousness. And what a bright moon it is, half-full and clear without contest in the sky as it outshines the stars and galaxies in the backdrop. But it’s all the better to emphasize that the buildings that speckle the landscape before you are all completely devoid of any light. And by the way—do you always sleep outside?

The lack of light can be something to deal with later though, at least when you've properly gotten up from the cold, unyielding stone below you. And that chill down your spine—no doubt that probably has something to do with combination of cool temperatures and poor sleeping conditions, but it’s odd how it seems to linger.

Checking your person for any items that should be in your possession yields disappointing results, but it seems you're not empty handed (or pocketed) because you are now the proud owner of one (1) small bundle of black cloth. Unwrapping it reveals a key imprinted with a roman numeral, along with a simple note.

“Come at 6PM to the place circled on this map:”

“Don’t be tardy, dear Survivors, that’d be a bad first impression. If you don’t want your stay here to be more unpleasant than it’ll already be, you’ll want to avoid seeming careless or disrespectful. You’ll want to listen to my opening speech~!”

Finally, after an empty space that may be simulating an intense pause, there’s one last line:

“I know what you’re thinking, so I’ll say it straight: if you don’t come, you’re as good as dead.”

The news likely isn't welcome, but it's a start. And it seems you're not alone in your plight, though whether company is within arm's length or a stone’s throw away is up to fortune’s whims. For now, you're free to explore the town square and the surrounding areas as best you can in the dim light.

For some reason or another, Krakow, Poland is now your new home. That much is clear from the sign posts that you can inexplicably read, as red and white flag posts with "Święto Niepodległości" flutter lightly in the wind. While the storefronts are dark, the street lamps that scatter the town provide some measure of light, providing some solace against the layer of fog that's begun to creep in.

( OOC: Welcome to Antumbra! This intro log occurs ICly Sunday. Your MM's will be around at 6pm EST to hear your complaints. )

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Comments

[drydrown]

I admit that I'm not familiar with what they're using as a power source, but the lack of any power at all is disconcerting. It could be worse, certainly, but it could be better, and I'm not particularly fond of the idea of stumbling about in the dark.

[ortion]

It could be worse, yes. There is an abundance of candles to be found and gas lamps are an option, so we are not entirely in the dark...

[Something else about what Cumore said catches Dist's curiosity, though.]

Are you not familiar with electricity?

[drydrown]

[Ah, that.]

We use blastia as our main power source. It's more than sufficient and ensures we don't have to use anything that's going to be unreliable like this.

[Blastia is really only unreliable when it breaks, after all. Or when someone steals cores, apparently, but that's usually a lower quarter problem and therefore not one of his.]

[ortion]

[As much as Dist hates to be on this side of the question...]

Blastia, is it... I am unfamiliar with the term, but shall I presume it is a mechanism that stores energy?

[drydrown]

It's more along the lines of creating it, I believe. Something to do with converting aer to energy; it can be used for all sorts of things.

[He says, with all the vague confidence of someone who has no idea what he's talking about because it isn't particularly his job to know. Blastia works because it does and precisely how it does anything is a little beyond him.]

[ortion]

[Dist squints at the mention of "aer", which he hears as "air". So are blastia wind-based? Some fon machines use wind fonons to produce energy, so he can connect the dots easily enough.

He can tell Cumore isn't an expert though, so he won't press him that hard.]

I have heard of several different methods and definitions for producing energy from yourself and some of the others, but this place doesn't seem to use any of them. Just how far-removed from our homes are we, I wonder...

[drydrown]

...Very, from the current look of things. I recognize or can sort out a fair amount, but some of it is a bit beyond me.

[Have you seen the kitchen, what the shit are some of the things in there.]

Everything here seems so depressing compared to what I'm used to. Livable, as you've said, but it's all so hideous.

[ortion]

[Is Cumore going to need help with the stove...]

Oh, believe me, we are in complete agreement. I've had to endure some hideous work spaces, but my options were limited. This is just salt in the wound!

Perhaps there is something better beyond the fog...

[The fog that he still isn't sure how to approach. Candles are not going to do much about that.]

[drydrown]

[HE MIGHT... Not just because What Is Technology but.more because does this man look like he's ever used a stove in his life.]

...I'm used to doing things in not-ideal circumstances, weather included. Perhaps I'll see what's out there at some point, once we've all had time to get our bearings.

[ortion]

[Oh honey...

...not that he's any better beyond being able to operate one. They can be disasters together.]

Consider me interested in accompanying you. I am very interested in exploring the rest of this town, as I have a hunch that a power source is out there somewhere.

[drydrown]

I certainly can't say I'd mind the company.

[good lord.]

I assume this potential power source is of particular interest to you, then.

[ortion]

[If he could visibly sparkle...]

It is. If it is damaged, I should be able to restore it to working order. Provided its construction isn't completely foreign, of course. I would need time to decipher it, in that case.

[drydrown]

So you're familiar with what's necessary for this entire...electricity thing to work.

[good to know, honestly.]

[ortion]

Oh, absolutely. [He sounds very proud about it, too.] Working with machines and other such devices is my profession. I imagine I would be able to figure out your blastias with ease.

[drydrown]

I believe that sort of thing is usually left to mages, rather than those that specialize in mechanical things. Not to say those things can't coexist, but the cores themselves are usually adjusted by way of magecraft.

[...He's pretty sure, anyway. He knows Alexei does some weird shit with that sort of thing, but Alexei's kind of an all-purpose nerd.]

You'll have to tell me about your machines, however. Consider me curious.

[ortion]

[A Commandant will probably need to know these things, Cumore...]

Oho, so they are like fonic technology! [He'll spare Cumore the long explanation unless asked, but-] This is my specialty, so don't count me out just yet.

[He just wants to sound like a know-it-all though, so...

As for his machines, though...]

I certainly wouldn't mind, though we might just be here all day if you let me get too carried away! I imagine you still want to explore before our captors make their grand entrance?

[drydrown]

[On the one hand, yes, knowing some things is probably necessary. On the other hand, LOOK...AT ALEXEI...]

Yes, of course. We do still have some time, and that's likely a prudent use of it.

[ortion]

[I-I MEAN...OKAY MAYBE NOT ALEXEI LEVELS.]

I still need to assess my own living quarters, but I can show you some of my previous discoveries after. Or I can leave you to your own exploration! Whichever you prefer!

[That sure got awkward real fast.]

[drydrown]

[what the fuck does he do with this, you're precious. and awkward, but that's fine, you're still better than like...almost everyone else here tbh]

No, I'd like to hear them. I'll come find you afterwards.

[ortion]

Of course! I won't be too far- my room is only several doors down.

[He seems way too excited to actually be having a positive interaction that he didn't manage to fuck up, wow.

That said, he'll say his goodbyes for now and go check out his room (which is just as woefully drab).]