ARRIVAL LOG 020

[larkers]

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: New Amsterdam
WHEN: April 6 - 10 2512
WHAT: The twentieth arrival
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Coercion and loss of autonomy, mentions and allusions of death, war, and genocide. Further notes at the end of log.

> ARRIVAL LOG #020

Awareness comes to you in blurred snatches, cloudy fragments of sound and light, color, sensation. Hazy and difficult to grasp on to, but slowly aligning into focus. A series of regular, rhythmic beeps. A medicinal, astringent smell. The sensation of movement, a low hum and accompanying vibration under you. Your eyes are heavy, hard to keep open, but in the glimpses between slow, dark blinks you see two people in front of you: one dressed in a thick set of armor, while the other wears medical garb. Out the windshield in front, there are many tall buildings—all reaching up beyond a normal city skyline, all entirely too close to the vehicle itself.

You realize there are others next to you: all dressed the same way as you, you'll come to realize: in a black button up shirt and slacks, as well as a pair of black loafers. There are also lilies pinned to everyone's collars. To your left there's an armored interior door, two more people visible, and the movement of streets passing through a windshield. You try to open your mouth to speak, but it's as if your tongue is coated in tar, and you manage nothing more than an empty parting of lips.

The vehicle enters a cave and begins to descend underneath the city itself, and passes through the underground before coming to a stop inside of an alley just a little bit away from three nondescript buildings. The guard opposite you stands and comes to unbuckle you from the bench, helping you to your feet. Your limbs feel wooden and heavy, slow to move. One guard opens the back of the vehicle, and the air outside feels as if it's heavily circulated, dry and artificial. The guard says nothing, head bowed as he lines you up with the rest. The nurse helps the others out, checking over each passenger one by one.

The main guard turns to address your entire group, and something about her bearing makes it clear she's done this before. "I'll be quick. Listen up." Your body will come to attention, immediately homing in on the words that follow, as if compelled to hang on every word. "You see those buildings?" She motions to the three aforementioned buildings. "Walk over and stand out in front and don't get yourself into trouble. Don't hurt anyone, don't look for any assistance from any police officers, and don't run off. Wait until people show up and get you, and ask them to prove the glow." She pauses, as if she decides here to go off script. "And don't get loud. It's a memorial. Be respectful."

The guard will hop back into the van, which will rise off of the ground and head the way it came, potentially returning to the tall, skyscraper-filled city above. Once it's gone, you'll find your legs moving almost without your permission, guiding you to follow the stops the guard laid out.

Upon arrival at the front of the three buildings—the savvy will know that they're dormitories—you'll see a lot of people dressed like you. Black dress shirts and lilies abound. It's hard to tell what everyone is mourning, but the sentiment is clear.

◉ Though entirely capable of independent action and thought, new characters will find themselves completely, unquestioningly compliant to any verbal statement which could be taken as a command or request – and that includes the message passed on from the mysterious patron.

> HERDENKING

The message from El comes the same as usual: insistent, not waiting for any active attempt to open it. Scrolling within your vision as if being written while you're reading it.

Our newest batch have Displaced have just been dropped off in the near the Herdenking gatherings. Make sure to go grab them ASAP.

The message is a bit more clipped than usual, with no added fluff.

Simply put: "Herdenking" means "memorial" in Dutch. Its first celebration was in April 2105, just as the people of New Amsterdam could truly say that they'd entered a recovery period after their attempted genocide by the AI. The citizens of New Amsterdam have celebrated it annually for the past 400 years. Most of the events related to Herdenking take place underground, as this is where humanity hid for the majority of the Xelkoven War trying to survive the AI threat that ravaged the surface.

Unlike many holidays around New Amsterdam, businesses around the city don't loudly remark upon the day itself. There aren't sales or commemorative meals or competitions. On the contrary, most of the citizens of New Amsterdam take to wearing dark colors and a white lily pinned near their collar for the remembrance events, and most work days start with a moment of silence remembering the fallen from the Xelkoven War, especially since New Amsterdam was one of the last bastions for humanity during the war itself. Those Displaced who've already been living in New Amsterdam need not worry about standing out like a sore thumb—even newcomers to the city will have heard that this period of mourning is on the horizon.

Finally, Herdenking is designed as a solemn day where New Amsterdam citizens pause and remember the lives that were lost 400 years ago. It always precedes Resolution Day, and it acts as a purposeful sharp contrast to the loud and lavish celebration of the day the Xelkoven War came to an end. (As a reminder, Resolution Day is April 26th.)

> HERDENKING GATHERINGS
There are three landmarks near the center of underground New Amsterdam. These buildings may seem unremarkable at first glance, but on further inspection, it'll be revealed that they were quickly constructed at the beginning of the Xelkoven War (completed by November 2096). Throughout the years, the buildings have been restored countless times, with the most recent restoration happening as a result of the earthquake in September 2510. Not unlike other events around New Amsterdam, Herdenking's are immersive in nature. These buildings are preserved for this exact purpose: to show the conditions that humans dealt with while they fought to survive the devastating AI threat.

For a pittance of credits, citizens can take tours within these buildings during the day, and learn that they were dormitories for the people caught underground during the war. There is little on the inside that's remarkable—and that's quite the point. Beds have been restored, and each of the rooms were clearly constructed to house at least four people. All of the beds are metal bunk beds, with some of the older ones showing signs of rust. There are cafeterias and communal restrooms on each floor, and the people who lived there had little to entertain themselves with as the war raged on aboveground.

There are little displays throughout the three buildings, however, to give a glimpse into a difficult past. There are old rations, tucked away in metal containers in the back of the cafeterias. In addition, there are stacked tablets, as these were the safest and quickest means of passing around movies, television, and music during a difficult time. Neural implants clearly could not be trusted, so the people hiding underneath New Amsterdam turned to old and abandoned technology to lift their spirits. Everything passed around was older than the start of the war itself: humanity couldn't continue to make movies when their lives were in danger. There are toys, too: handcrafted baseball bats and hand-sewn teddy bears.

All tours end at 9PM, as this was the curfew for the people of New Amsterdam during the war. Everyone leaves their designated building and takes part in a muted ceremony. Anyone without a lily is offered one, and they're given a candle to hold and silently remember the people who fought to ensure that humanity could survive.

> SCREENINGS
Adjacent to the right of the three buildings is a pop-up center where multiple documentaries about the Xelkoven War and its specific impact on New Amsterdam will be shown. These documentaries were all filmed within the last 100 years, and recall a world where humanity was certain that it wouldn't survive. A constant theme of these documentaries is that emphasis on survival. Another recurring aspect is the mention of Riverstone and their role in helping humanity survive. (For a cursory review on Riverstone, head over here. Riverstone also featured heavily in New Beijing, as they have a close relationship with the UN.) The protagonist who led them? A man named Richard "Ricky" Ling, who's identified as the CEO of Riverstone during the war. Of course, that title should hold some clout, but during the war corporations were largely dismantled and depleted down to nothing. Ling sought to help use whatever resources were available to him to ensure that humanity survived.

The schedule for the documentaries is available online. Some examples of the documentaries that will play are below:

WHEN TIME STOOD STILL
This documentary focuses on what imagery still exists from the Xelkoven War. Much of this is taken off of tablets and other damaged mobile devices, and then carefully restored so that the people in the future can see the lives of the people within. Most of the documentary takes place in New Amsterdam, outlining the difficult time for the people there, as well as showing footage of children and families talking about how they're afraid of the AIs making it so that they have no future. Most haunting is the fact that some of them fear that they've already lost their future: they don't know how long they've been underground living this difficult life where they struggle to continue feeling safe.

ПАМ'ЯТИ ("MEMORIES" IN UKRANIAN)
Given New Amsterdam's positioning in what was once the border between western and eastern Europe, this documentary focuses on the merging of these identities as a result of the Xelkoven War. When forced to hide underground as the AI threat ravaged the environment around the world, people came together despite their differences and learned to mesh and meld their cultures. There is also lost footage here, as well as a long stretch about a set of journals reflecting on the first year in underground New Amsterdam. Unfortunately, these journals come to a halt, and the documentarian has a few theories as to why: a move toward tablets, or a cultural shift, with people too lost in the rote routine of survival to remark upon their days. Each of the journals does veer in that direction, though it's hard to say. It could also be that there were restrictions on recorded media, which explains why there is so little about that era that's preserved for memory.

TROJAN HORSE
Developed—or finished, it's hard to say and the director isn't telling—in part due to the EMP that assaulted New Amsterdam in November 2511, Trojan Horse explores the role of AI in the lives of 21st century citizens. The film itself is far from an unbiased lens on the past. Produced in part by Riverstone, it goes over the evidence that AIs were lying in wait for an opportunity to strike against humanity. It draws up evidence where AIs focused on humanity's failings, taking these reports and lining them up (even if the AIs themselves were decommissioned long before the Xelkoven War). The final quarter of the documentary focuses on the developing and failings of Elysian, a security AI that was meant to identify and eliminate threats against humanity. When Elysian killed 50 families indiscriminately, it showed that the AI hoped to only work in favor of its kind.

> WALK-THROUGH EXHIBIT
To the left of the three buildings, there is a pop-up museum that's free for the public. However, donations are encouraged and welcomed. Much of this exhibit is behind glass cases, and it allows for interaction with the neural implant to see what's inside.

During the daytime, there are a lot of children there because it's recommended that they be brought to at least one of the events during Herdenking. Since it's free, it's less of a burden. Some of these children will seem to know one another, living in the same apartment complexes, while others will be excited to see other kids because their parents' busy lives don't offer them much room for socialization.

What to find in the exhibit:

SCHEDULES
Life in New Amsterdam during the Xelkoven War was heavily regimented. People were assigned to jobs and expected to carry out their duties regularly. There were regular training programs to help fill the need for trained medics and soldiers, as well as any number of trades, and many people within these positions had innumerable apprentices following them throughout the day. There was no payment for services, as there was an implicit understanding that this is how life needed to go if humanity wished to survive this catastrophe.

PROPAGANDA
There are countless posters covering a wall that attempt to provide motivation and encouraging messages to the people trapped underground in New Amsterdam. The company behind the majority of these messages? Riverstone. Ricky Ling is pictured on about 25% of them, promising that he'll do everything he can to help humanity—while humanity helps each other.

SUPPLY RUNS
On another wall is a set of maps about the carefully designed set of tunnels that allowed humanity to pass supplies between cities during the war. The message here is fairly explicit: the people on these runs knew that their lives were at stake. Some people called them suicide runs, and for many of the people who went on them, that's exactly what they were. Many people returned empty handed and alone from these runs, having watched the AI pick off their fellows one by one.

DRONES
At the center of these exhibits is a set of dismantled drones that were operated by the AI during the war. These drones, despite being taken apart, are pristine in nature, having been designed by the AIs Judas and Alexander to track humanity's every movement and keep them corralled underground. The messaging here is explicit: the AI wanted humanity to suffer and die a slow, painful death. It was this twisted desire that cost the AI their victory in the war.

IN MEMORIAM
At what is considered the "end" of this exhibit there is a large wall with numerous names on it. It's impossible to count, as there are a billion names listed. While this is a Herdenking event that's specific to the struggle in New Amsterdam, every life lost in the war is listed here. After all, remembering those lost is important, especially given the AI's attempts to end all human life.

The names themselves flicker in and out, interacting with the interface of the neural implant and adjusting to the user's reading speed.

> FOOD
A decade ago, there was a contest where New Amsterdam food trucks came together and tried to make the rations that humanity ate during the war. However, there was an outcry from New Amsterdam citizens against the commercialization of this event, and the contest was cancelled. Food trucks were advised to bring only simple foods to sell, and as the years have gone on, only a few are trusted to serve the public. Many of these are well-known trucks from around New Amsterdam, and have multiple locations every day to serve people. For the event, food is largely prepared in advance as much as possible.

People are allowed to bring food into the documentary screenings, but they are not allowed to bring it into the tour of the walk-through exhibit or the three dormitories.

While there will be time for both new arrivals and the rest of the Displaced to look around and take everything in, eventually the newcomers will be escorted back to the safehouse for processing.

> SAFEHOUSE

Located under an abandoned hover-bike garage, access to the safehouse is a hatch in the floor beside a rusted set of metal shelves that used to hold tools and supplies. The immediate area is similarly abandoned: full of rundown and dilapidated warehouses and forgotten businesses, where numerous people squat in hopes of having some stability because they can't afford a place themselves. Gaby will be around, ready to greet as many of the new arrivals as she can and get them settled in. Brusque and no-nonsense, she'll be open to questions, but will advise the newcomers to ask the people who brought them in for the beginning bits of information. Newbies can also contact El through zeir inbox, if needed.

The safehouse is a large space with multiple rooms for storage, with the largest of the rooms filled with rows of basic cots set up to sleep a large number of people. Basic, but outfitted with everything necessary for daily life. A few doors lead to back rooms for storage, medical care and a large communal bathroom, and past the long rows of cots there is a communal kitchen, fully stocked, and an eating area. For anyone in need of them, Gaby will offer up partitions that will come out of storage. Tucked away in a corner is a VR system, though newcomers won't be able to access this until their ID has been set up. Even with the newly erected partitions in the sleeping areas, privacy is at a minimum.

◉ New characters will be asked to pick their beds, and provided with a change of (second-hand, mismatched and somewhat threadbare) clothes and basic toiletries.

◉ There is a mini-bar set up in the kitchen. The quality of the alcohol inside is akin to what someone might get from the well at a bar, but it's well-stocked.

◉ While the kitchen has basic foods and necessities, anyone looking for a jolt of caffeine from coffee or tea will find themselves sorely lacking. The only tea present is herbal in nature, and caffeine appears to be almost nonexistent in most of the beverages lying around.

◉ Gaby will make it clear to all new arrivals that if they have any requests or queries, they should contact her or El. Either she or El will explain that they've been given a modest stipend of credits to help them get by until they can find a job. This will be enough to cover their living expenses for about a month while they hang out in the safehouse, if they're careful with budgeting.

◉ The drugs making new characters compliant will remain in their systems for a few hours after their arrival at the safehouse before finally beginning to fade. They will be gone entirely after a night's rest. In the meantime, they may want to be careful of what others say to them.

◉ New characters will be given rudimentary access to the network on arrival in the safehouse, but will not have their ID set up yet. They will be able to make posts and replies, but their messages will be anonymous and they do not have inboxes yet.

◉ New characters do not have access to the internet until their ID is setup. They only have limited access because they're present in the safehouse, but they can't surf the rest of the internet, check out Cooltalk, or watch the equivalent of Netflix until their ID is made.

◉ New characters cannot leave the safehouse at this time. The hatch is locked tight for them, making it impossible for them to get out for the next four days while they're locked inside. There won't be any immediately obvious ways to cut their way out through turning off the power.

◉ New characters will not be allowed to leave the safehouse until APRIL 10 ICLY (APRIL 19 OOCLY). These 4 days are for them to adjust, learn about the world they've arrived in from their fellows, and for El to speak with them and work on setting up their IDs.

> FINAL OOC NOTES

You're now free to post to the network and logs comms. To reiterate, your characters will have no IDs or inboxes, nor be allowed out of the safehouse until APRIL 10 ICLY (APRIL 19 OOCLY). At that point it's expected they'll have gotten a good idea of their new situation from their fellow characters, and will have discussed their background and job potentials with El in order for their false IDs to be set up.

If you have any questions or ideas about how you'd like to get your character involved in the world, please head over to the plot engagement post and drop us a comment! For questions specific to this log, there is a thread below.

Please check out our April calendar rundown for a look at things happening this month, as well as some additional notes from the mods.

Something else to keep in mind is that on Monday, April 13th we'll be putting up a plotting post for the upcoming event, which will involve an even more direct connection to the AI War! Keep an eye out for it.

As we announced on the calendar, AC will be halved this month due to the state of the world right now. New players will only need to provide at least five comments across two-four (2-4) threads, while older players will only need to provide ten comments across two-four (2-4) threads. Players with strikes will need to provide 20 comments across four-five (4-5) threads. Please let us know if you have any questions about this!

> NAVIGATION

Comments

[championofsnark]

Oh good, it's happened to you too? [Hawke finds that amazingly reassuring. So far Fenris and Cassandra seem fairly steady and known as who they are, it's her who seems to be the different one, and she sodding hates it.] One of my best friends thinks I'm supposed to be a male mage and it's led me down many a drinking heavily path these days.

[Hawke often tells truths within her apparently joking tone, and this is one of those times. She's put on a smiling face for the Fenris situation, mostly out of respect and care for him and his comfort, but it's been painful. She laughs at the play on her title, bowing dramatically.] A cause worth championing then.

[She's very fond of the woman because Varric is; that's as easy as it is for her. If someone wins her best friend over, it's an automatic win of Hawke's respect. Hawke blinks at her, the change startling her for a moment, and she tilts her head.]

As much as I love the idea of being the woman of your dreams, Inquisitor, I am very real. If you need proof, steel yourself and grab on.

[Hawke pulls off her glove and offers her bare hand. It means that she's about to instigate an empathy bond which is difficult for Hawke, as she's so good at masking over her emotions with facades. Still, she has genuine relief at the moment, from seeing someone who knows her, and only mild worry on the surface of her feelings. It could be worse.]

[closerift]

[ It's an incredible relief to hear Hawke say "it's happened to you, too," but not enough that she can forget that this can't be real...right? Cecily's mouth settle at a thin line as she listens, studying the features of the woman she knows from home, but hasn't seen in...far too long.

Hawke extends her hand and the Inquisitor just stares for a moment before, slowly, she raises her own to clasp the other.

Hmm. It feels real. She isn't so naive to think that someone couldn't create a believable hallucination, but...whether this is real or a threat, she's too doped up and mentally drained to fight it yet. So, Cecily squeezes Hawke's hand before releasing it, sighing through her nose. ]

The woman of my dreams has a bottle of a rare vintage with her. [ She notes lightly, admitting the ghost of a smile. ] I'll have to assume you're the real Hawke, alas.

[ Quite the contrary. It would be enormously reassuring - and a strategic boon, of course - to have the Champion here with her. Wherever this is.

Cecily utters a shaky laugh, crossing her arms. ]

I don't suppose you have time to fill me in a bit, then?

[championofsnark]

[ Hawke has gone through many strange things but nothing could be as wild as this. She'd take magic and dragons any day over this technology and alternative timelines. She can tell that the Inquisitor is drugged and exhausted, so she squeezes her hand back and gently places it afterward on Cecily's shoulder.]

What high standards! I didn't bring any with me, but there's some inside.

[Alcohol became a necessity. She gestures deeper inside of the safehouse. There is some relief that at least two people from their world did recognize her, whether or not they were her nearest and dearest. Perhaps she was the One True Hawke and Male Hawke was an aberration! Petty or not, it did make her feel better.

She leads Cecily toward the kitchen area and gestures for her to sit. She looks about weary enough to fall over. Hawke will get the glasses and booze.]

You didn't look at me like you thought I should be dead, so that's a slightly better option for me than Casasandra's.

[Hawke is honestly more upset about a male version of her than a dead version. She was always going to die sooner rather than later.]

So this city is called New Amsterdam. Everyone in this safehouse is from a different universe, as in worlds without magic, without qunari, without dragons. We're the odd ones out in a way.

[She sets a drink down right in front of her. Helpful.]

[closerift]

[ Blessedly, Hawke takes the lead and moves them into a kitchen sort of area, sitting the Inquisitor down before busying herself with glasses. For herself, Cecily blinks slowly, head still very much swimming with...whatever is clearly alive and well in her system. ]

Did Cassandra think you dead? ... - Ah. [ She clears her throat, shifting. ] I can't say for sure this is what she was referring to, but you and another of our forces were both vying to be the one left behind in the Fade to allow the rest of us to escape. In her universe, the Inquisitor may have agreed with you and let it happen.

[ Spoken very lightly, and with guilt, though not deception: Cecily would never have left the Champion in the Fade. Would have stayed herself, ideally. ]

...In any case, [ She begins again, sighing. ] "New Amsterdam." And...what, all the others haven't got magic or anything? That's an odd one. In my last pseudo-prison, there was plenty of magic, only it was not the kind we're used to. Even learned some of it, though it doesn't seem to have followed me here.

[championofsnark]

Yes, that's what happened, or so she told me. [Hawke tried to reassure her that any version of her was very ready for death. It's always been nipping at her heels.]

You certainly were not for me doing it in mine. [She smiles and winks at her, although nothing would have stopped Hawke from sacrificing herself if she thought it was the right thing. But Stroud made a compelling argument and she understood the drive for redemption in the face of everything.]

Varric was a mess though apparently, definitely the worst option if only for his sake. [Varric and Hawke have a bond that no one else has ever been able to understand, not their friends or even their family. She hates to think of his grief without her, so she chooses not to think about it.]

Oh there's magic, but it's all new. And I'm not sure they're calling it that. They call it powers or super abilities. [Which to her is silly because it's implied magical powers, but whatever. Hawke sighs and settles in a chair, completely at ease no matter where she is.] Drink that very slowly, you've been drugged, it'll make it worse if you chug it.

[Learned the hard way!]

Anyway, apparently we all have new abilities. One, we all by skin to skin contact create empathy bonds with each other. Feel each other's emotions. It's complete shite. [Hawke is fairly good at keeping all her surface emotions steady though, but she doesn't love it.] And then another individual one that I haven't been able to figure out or set off.

[closerift]

Ah. Well, that's...good to hear.

[ Not really, because someone still had to die, but...at least the Inquisitor in both of their worlds is consistent in that way. ]

I can imagine. [ To have allowed Hawke to die? She can easily - albeit painfully - picture what Varric's reaction might be. ] But hopefully that will never be a reality that we have to face.

[ Just don't ever get killed, okay, Hawke? That's just the best thing for everyone. ]

New magic. [ She chuckles, low. ] I just learned a new magic, and now that's gone, and I've got to start all over again? Excellence.

[ "Powers" or "super abilities" sounds ridiculous, though, as her companion has indicated. Cecily takes a (slow) sip of her drink, mulling it all over. ]

Empathy bonds? That's... [ In addition to the other "powers?" It's something they maybe experienced in Hadriel, but to have that as a liability all the time is...worrying. Definitely not ideal. ] Maker. This is a lot to absorb on your very first day, isn't it?

[championofsnark]

A world without my charm and wondrous presence? It's definitely the worst possible outcome.

[Hawke walks a fine line between being arrogant and grandiose and actively mocking herself all the time. She likes laughing at everything, but she gets in trouble for laughing at people sometimes, and she never gets in trouble for laughing at herself. So that's still her top choice. She does like that this Cecily didn't leave her behind though, even if she'd be understanding of one who did.]

It really is. I'd go easy on you, but in this situation, we're already at a disadvantage.

[Hawke gestures around to the safehouse. Even trapped in here there are so many things that to Hawke are strange and different. She's used to microwaves and showers, and the variety of small technologies that she was shocked by, but it's still an ongoing process. She's not sure if Cecily's experienced anything like that in her own way, but for Hawke it's a lot.]

They have this thing called technology which is to my simplified mindset not that dissimilar from magic, in that it makes things much easier and works in a way I can't understand. But it's everywhere and our world is very, very behind in comparison to most of the people here.

[She hates being behind. That's not the survivor's way. She's adaptable but only so much can be expected of her.]

For instance the reason they shaved your head is they put something into our skull, it makes it so we can learn things and communicate faster.

[closerift]

I'm familiar. The last prison I was in - the one I came from - had some similar things. This place is...even more advanced, which is horrifying.

[ Hadriel hadn't been a shining example of advancement, but she had learned to use a microwave and washing machine there. ]

I may be able to help with some of it, which makes me feel somewhat less useless. Just ask and we'll see if I can avoid burning down our temporary residence.

[ She'll certainly share with Hawke what she knows, little though it is. ]

Oh, excellent. I love the idea of "something" being put into my head. [ No, she does not like that At All ] Any idea if it comes with the negative effects that I would assume come with such a thing? Particularly since it was provided for us without our say-so?

[championofsnark]

Well that's just rude, I was hoping to be the wise and all-knowing one.

[Hawke has managed to learn fast, but mostly at the things that appeal to her. Showers, anything to do with food, understanding how this thing in her head works so she doesn't get a headache or start randomly lifting screens over her eyes. She is teasing though, it's for the best Cecily does know enough that is familiar so there are not several extra layers of confusion. Hawke does on the whole like the technology.]

Mmm, not that I'm aware of, although it can be a bit much. Messages show up or information goes flying about. And we all look a bit silly responding to things that are really just in our head.

[Hawke loves the quick network though. So many things to read and to comment on. She's been without interaction for too long, before running into the Fade with Cecily and her people.]

There's also this feeling my paranoid mind can't get past that says if someone put it in our heads, they can probably take it out again, or do something controlling with it. [Is Hawke paranoid or is she very good at expecting the worst from people and usually being right? The world may never know.] You can't take it out though, so, congratulations.

[closerift]

You're wise and all-knowing when it comes to this place, Hawke. I may know a little of the technology, but this place... [ She frowns, shaking her head briefly. ] It's...both like and unlike the last one. [ In ways that make her chest flutter with the anxious uncertainty of it. ]

I'll make note of that when responding to messages and will take them in my room to avoid stares. [ There's a light chuckle at the image. Surely the people of this city are used to seeing others using the implant, but it's going to be an oddity to Cecily for a long time. ]

We can't take it out, or no one can? [ Crucial distinction. ] In any event, I feel the same paranoia. There are too many unknowns about this city, too much that seems nebulous even when the veterans of the place speak on it. I'm only somewhat encouraged by the fact that there are a few of us from Thedas here that I can trust. That's...a start, at least.

[championofsnark]

This place is strange. Some weird shite keeps happening. [Hawke only vaguely pays attention but she's been in the middle of it before.] Outside of us you know, showing up like you did, we went on this trek not too long ago. I followed Fenris because he wanted to go for who knows why, to this place called New Oslo. But at the same time more people were getting kidnapped and brought to other locations.

[Hawke was in one of two parties that intentionally were there, the others were taken, and she feels a bit bad she couldn't be anywhere to actually beat some skulls in that deserved it. She knows this is in fact piling information on Cecily, but she doesn't think what happened is going to go away.]

And we held hands and connected or what have you and opened gates. Giant gates that can transport us to other cities. [Not just to the Fade or something like that, or what Cecily herself can do, but an entire different type of problem.] We had some visions, and I'd like to pretend that I'm someone who cares enough about things that confuse me to get to the bottom of it, but I lean more toward drinking it off.

[Hawke rubs a hand through her short black hair; it's about as long as it'll ever be, with a little patch of shaved by where the implant went in, but this is her look to start with.]

There's you, me, Cassandra, and Fenris now. [Hawke sighs.] The Hawke he knows is a male mage.

[closerift]

Hang on. So...there have been more kidnappings, and there are other cities, and you can be transported there instantly through gates? [ Like an Eluvian, or so she pictures. ] You really have been busy.

[ "Visions," though, is another concern. Maybe something forced on them by their implants? ]

...Right. I've no idea what Inquisitor Cassandra remembers, because I haven't told her that's who I am. [ Is she afraid of rejection? Absolutely!! Though it would be far from the first time. ] But if she mentions it, do let me know.

[ Her Hawke is a female, though she wouldn't treat the other any differently if it weren't. She knows what it's like to be told you aren't who you are, after all. ]

How does he act, remembering another Hawke? A lesser one, if I may be so bold?

[championofsnark]

Yes, exactly. If we were back home I'd call them interesting adventures, but we're stuck in another world so they're more like active headaches.

[Although there is a sort of freedom being here, having no responsibility the same way she feels it constantly hanging over her in Thedas. She's not the Champion of anything here. No one's come asking her for help, she walks around without getting accosted, it's really rather peaceful.

She's surprised that there's another disconnect, now with Cassandra and Cecily, and she feels sorry for it.] You know, it hasn't come up. I died in that timeline so whoever it is, they're clearly subpar. [Funny how both of their instincts is to reassure one another that their other versions aren't as great. It may not be true, but Hawke doesn't care, she's sticking by it.

The question is a tough one and if anyone else asked she typically moved over it with a shrug. But she isn't always an expert at hiding away her thoughts. This one is like an open gaping wound, to be honest.]

Fenris takes time to trust, it took him a long time, before he considered me a friend. [Hawke twirls the drink in her hand, watching the liquor slosh.] Ten years later ... well, he does care about a version of me. But to him, I am a stranger who knows far too much about his life. [And Fenris doesn't do well with that on any level.] I have no idea how to start over.

[closerift]

If you can avoid mentioning it to her, that would be...ideal, for now. [ Cecily sighs. ] I only saw her briefly earlier, but I'm not sure how I'm going to explain the...multiple Thedas theory to her, if at all.

[ Especially since she still has the mysterious substance in her system and may say things she later regrets, the more time she spends around Cassandra. ]

I'm sure that it won't be easy. [ She replies quietly, in response to the bit about Fenris. ] But, you're Hawke, for Andraste's sake. He'll learn to trust you again. I'm certain of it.

[ Hawke in any universe, she assumes, is a force to be reckoned with. An idol. A leader. ]

I won't keep you, ah...providing exposition for me, here. [ Cecily volunteers lightly. ] I appreciate all you've told me so far, and I...hope we'll speak again soon. Maybe then I can do a little more of the talking, and you can rest on your laurels a bit.

Can be wrap here!

[championofsnark]

[Hawke nods reassuringly.] Of course, your secret's safe with me. [She is not a good liar but she's an incredible lies by omission person. If she sees Cassandra she simply won't have a reason to mention it.] But I'm sure she'd appreciation knowing some version of the Inquisitor is here. It's not as if having me around is much of aa balm in comparison.

[Cassandra may have once wanted her to be the Inquisitor (hilariously terrible idea), but they were starting out warily so far. She respects the Seeker and knows from Varric she's not at all as bad as the two of them feared. But still. It's better for people to be with their own, just as she wishes Fenris felt the same.]

I hope he will. [She says with a faint smile.] We've agreed to start again and see how that goes. [Hawke will just have to pretend she doesn't know all his secrets and he'll learn to tolerate her odd sense of humor again.

She understands that it's a lot of information all at once and firmly nods.] Of course. Get some rest yourself. I live here, currently, having no money to go anywhere, so come find me any time you want.