ARRIVAL LOG 22

[larkers]

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: New Amsterdam
WHEN: May 7 - 11
WHAT: The twenty-second arrival
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Coercion and loss of autonomy, references to rebellion and world upheaval. Further notes at the end of log.

> ARRIVAL LOG #022

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. But more than that, many of those buildings are covered in green.

You realize there are others next to you: all dressed the same way as you, you'll come to realize: in overalls of varying colors, all with heavy-duty gloves on. 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 eventually lowers to the ground and turns off with a low whirr. 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 full of moisture. Soon enough, you realize it's lightly raining. 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 tents set up over there? You're going to head over there and help out with the work they're doing. Don't hurt anyone, don't look for any assistance from any police officers, and don't run off. Wait until people come and find you, and when they do, ask them to show you the glow."

The guard will hop back into the van, which will rise off of the ground and head back the way it came, turning the corner of a building that you now realize is covered in winding plants and vines. Once it's gone, you'll find your legs moving almost without your permission, guiding you to follow the steps the guard laid out.

Once you get to the tents, you'll see that there is a congregation of people, all dressed in clothes that they're ready to work in. Many of them are covered in grass stains, their faces bearing that sheen that comes with manual labor. The ones that are under the shade of the tents seem to be taking a break, but many others are in the area, hard to work. They assume that you're here to help pitch in with cutting back the sheer number of plants that have overgrown and consumed the city, and they hand you a pair of shears and a bucket so that you can get to work. Time to get pruning!

◉ 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.

> HEDGE-CLIPPING

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.

Here we go again. We've got another batch of newbies, who've been dropped off at one of the landscaping work stations for getting all these plants under control. Follow the coordinates and you should find them in that general area. They're wearing overalls, if that narrows it down. I don't think many people wear overalls in 2512.

The coordinates will lead the current Displaced to the heart of New Amsterdam, near to one of the many green spaces in the city. Unsurprisingly, this is an area where the overabundance of plants growing at a massive rate has caused the most issue. Businesses, especially smaller ones like restaurants and boutiques, have been impacted by the plants. It's not just the outsides of buildings that are overgrown, either; inside, plumbing is completely clogged up as the foliage spills out of sinks, toilets, and anywhere else it can find a way in.

Green Thumbs, which is a local landscaping company that's seen an influx of business in the last six months thanks to the strange overgrowth of plant life in the city, has stepped up to help with this problem and has recruited the newly arrived Displaced to their cause, if unwittingly. Anyone who comes by one of their stations (including the veteran Displaced coming to collect the newbies) is likely to get roped into helping, as this is quite the undertaking and they need all the hands they can get. Don't worry—as long as you have a registered ID, you can get paid today.

The work itself isn't too complicated. Cut away plants, yank them out of drains, and put all everything that's harvested into buckets to return to the tents to drop off for later use in composting. While most of what's growing are flowers and weeds, there are areas where vegetables have sprouted too. Those will obviously want to be saved, and there will be crates set out to collect all of it. At the tents they'll also be offering some snacks and plenty of water to keep people energized and hydrated during the work. Everything from parks to bakeries to gift shops are going to need help here, and while the amount of work feels like it's neverending, it is important. Life can't return to normal until this is done.

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

> AROUND THE CITY

MEDIA COVERAGE AND ONLINE CHATTER
New Amsterdam has come to life again following Judas' simulation, but the energy of the city has changed. After so many tragedies and disasters, it’s as though everyone is half-expecting the next one to strike while still reeling from the last. Some are dealing with this by throwing themselves into charity work or laying low, but others have been radicalized into thoughts of taking down the United Nations altogether. Morningstar is garnering more and more support, and though it’s technically illegal, their symbol is being grafitti’d and pasted all over town. The overworked police can’t manage to keep up, so some of them stay, a clear sign of the shifting opinions of the people.

The focus of every nearly source of news, from serious mainstream media to pop culture commentary, is still the simulation that recently overtook New Amsterdam. New characters won’t be able to access this information until their IDs are set up, but once they can, it’s a deluge of news reports, opinion pieces, and conspiracy theory websites.

There are solemn specials memorializing those who died in the simulation, or pieces discussing the long term effects on survivors and the city as a whole, focusing on New Amsterdam’s charity efforts. Talking heads, from pundits to scientists to various authority figures, are brought on panels to discuss and sometimes heatedly debate what happened and why it all seemed to go so wrong. Of particular focus and concern is New Amsterdam Governor Lydia Gill-Jade's choice to step down, electoral candidate Jovavich’s death, and the upcoming emergency election. Now that so many UNA soldiers have been decommissioned and weapons contracts dropped, economic concerns are rearing their head, too.

It might be a breath of fresh air for some citizens when they realize that this time, the mainstream media’s reaction to the United Nations' involvement is decidedly negative. There isn’t so much undue praise, and both interviewers and interviewees are starting to ask hard questions about how, exactly, the United Nations screwed this up so badly. More than a few are blaming the current situation on the United Nations completely.

And, of course, the AI Judas is still missing. The fear over this is palpable, and no news channel or website is going to let anyone forget it, or go long without mentioning it. It’s clear the United Nations is in the middle of a damage control campaign, sending their most media-ready members to explain why they didn’t do more and why their hands were tied. It’s all very polished and precise.

On social media, the shift towards criticizing the United Nations is much more open and less measured. It isn’t hard to find discussions tearing apart the UN’s excuses and even mocking them. With UNA soldiers returning home, there are more than a few stories of friends or family members noticing a huge shift in the former soldiers’ personalities, and their clear struggle to reintegrate into a civilian lifestyle. People are getting angry, and admitting you still support the United Nations is a great way to start a very long argument.

As for Morningstar, now that they’re in the odd position of being considered by most to be a political party opposing the UNA, they’re getting more media attention than ever before. The shift is clear—Morningstar’s opinions and ideas have value now, and they aren’t shy about challenging the United Nations' official position on what happened in New Amsterdam.

Another source of constant gossip is the Displaced. Now that they’ve been partially outed, everyone is trying to figure out just what their deal is. Some people clearly view them as heroes, while others aren’t so sure. Are they rogue UNA experiments? Dimension hoppers? Superheroes? Aliens? No one knows the truth, and so theories abound, some of them utterly ridiculous. There are more measured articles and reports too, but the tabloids are the ones running the scoops that are more out there (and, honestly, more fun).

MEDIA COMMUNITY RESPONSE
While talk is all well and good following such a widespread event as the simulation, taking action is far more important. While efforts to handle the overgrowth of plant life continues, there are other needs that need to be met too. Everyone came out of the simulation feeling malnourished, so all throughout the city food drives are being set up to make sure that the less fortunate and destitute get the sustenance they need to get back on their feet.

On top of that, there will also be an emphasis on redistributing all of the food which grew in excess while everyone was in the sim, to make sure that it's spread around to everyone who needs it.

Displaced will be encouraged to participate and help out with this (whether it's through cooking, plating/serving food, etc.) by the people they know through their community -- whether it's coworkers, members of Morningstar (including Gaby), or any other non-Displaced acquaintances that they have.

As public opinion toward the UNA is souring, there is a belief that people need to learn how to be self-sufficient, which is something that Morningstar in particular decides to capitalize on. If they can't rely on the UNA or on the corporations which are known to be corrupt and incetuous, and if the upcoming emergency election is likely to just give everyone more of the same, then they'll just have to figure things out on their own.

Therefore, Morningstar heads up a number of community events, classes, and drives to move toward this goal. This is a less direct form of rebellion than targeting the UNA or any of the big corporations directly, and while Morningstar has plans for that in the works too, they have always been a group that knows how to engage with the common people and make them feel seen and heard. Want to know how to grow and cook your own food? Have you heard what composting is, but don't really know what it's about? There's classes for all that, and more, including how to give haircuts and mend your own clothing. Those who are practiced in these things will also be offering these services to anyone who needs them.

Whether the Displaced are curious to learn, want to offer a class of their own (or at least help teach one), or want to take advantage of any of the services being offered, they'll be welcome. Morningstar agents will find them at the safehouse or Red Wings and encourage them to participate.

> 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 MAY 11 (JUNE 21). 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 MAY 11 (JUNE 21). 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 June calendar rundown for a look at things happening this month, as well as some additional notes from the mods.

AC remains 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. Please let us know if you have any questions about this!

> NAVIGATION

Comments

Dr. Lance Sweets | OTA

[lifetothefullest]

[1. The worst part of this is the overalls (arrival)]

[It's honestly hard to say if this is better or worse than the last time he ended up in another world.

On the pros side, he isn't half dead. That's always nice. Also he's outside, not in a cave.

In the cons side, pretty much everything else. The real question is if the former two pros outweigh all the rest of the cons combined.

He's thinking not, as he finds himself fighting with a vine, even though he really has no desire or even intent to actually be doing any work. What he wants to do is lurk around and just observe while pretending to work, and yet that isn't happening. Weird.

Also this vine just doesn't want to let go, geez. Maybe it would if Lance had even the slightest idea of what he's doing, which he doesn't, but he's never claimed gardening to be a skill of his. That's the explanation he's going with for anyone who might question why he's holding onto the vine using the shears, a foot against the wall so he can use leverage to pull on it.

Hopefully whoever comes to talk to him doesn't show up just as the vine comes loose and he tumbles into them.]



[2. Just totally casual and very legit (safehouse)]

[Some of the pros of this place have faded fast.

There's nothing he loves more than being stuck with a bunch of other people in close quarters. Nothing. Absolute favorite thing. 10/10. Only way to make it better is to be not allowed to leave and no coffee.

A mini-bar helps a little, but since it would be an absolutely terrible idea to actually drink enough to make this place not suck it doesn't do that much for him. It does help a little with the underlying agitation he's feeling about this entire situation, and calms some of the urge to pace around and freak out a little, but mostly it just gives him the nerve to see if he can get away with testing the rules.

So he takes up lurking within eyeshot of the hatch, waiting to see if anyone enters or leaves, so that he can casually head in that direction. It's a long shot that it'll work, but everything about his life has been a long shot, so--]

Hey, can you leave it open? I'm on the way out.

[With any luck it won't even be a lie.]



[3. There's worse things BUT STILL (safehouse)]

[Well, that didn't work, or it did and we'll just ignore rp continuity, so he's settled in to sulk a bit in the kitchen. Mostly that involves trying to figure out something he can eat without having to do anything more complicated than boiling water, which he only gets right about half the time.

But after a little digging something akin to ramen is procured, and Lance doesn't bother checking the label until he's got the water going. He leans back against the counter, picks up the package, and uh--]

Are these crickets?



[4. Wildcard]

[Whatever! You can message me at amiasha to plot something or just throw a scenario at me, either way. c:]

arrival!

[evocation]

[Okay, part of the reason Kyna showed up to help the new arrivals is maybe because she wanted to see all of them in overalls. Maybe. They'd be easy to spot anyway, with their shaved heads and general demeanor, but the overalls are decidedly hilarious, and Kyna loves it.

One of them is wrestling with a vine, attacking it in a way that even a city girl knows will never work. Of course she gets close enough just as the vine snaps and he falls backward, right into her. Luckily, Kyna stumbles back just in time to avoid getting crushed in favor of just being jostled instead.]

Hey, new kid. Gardening not your thing?

[lifetothefullest]

[He's never been more grateful that his hair grows as fast as it does, honestly.

And okay, good, didn't kill anyone, even if he's a bit embarrassed by the whole thing, and he shoves himself back up off the ground before turning to look at the person who'd spoken to him. It's then that her voice clicks into place, and her face only confirms it, but the compulsion to follow the orders he was given actually comes in handy as it prevents him from just immediately saying her name in surprise. Instead--]

I'm supposed to ask about... Glowing?

[He makes a face that indicates he thinks this is a stupid--or at least very strange--thing to ask, and yet he found himself asking it anyway.]

2 to tango

[nonscriptum]

[ Nate freezes just as he turns an awkward corner, catching a statement about a dozen feet behind him down the adjacent hall. He knows that voice. He knows that voice, the inflection, and the slightly-subversive tone that suggests someone wants out and can't find a way outside of using someone who's been in residence for some time, and for a moment Nate tries to rationalize it.

People from his previous world are few and far between, and while it's been nice to see Drake, they were never overtly close. They didn't hang out. Nate tries to do so now but every time he reaches for a new anchor, something comes up. Something happens. He's probably dead back home anyway, so what's the point?

The chances are slim. ]

Where to? [ He turns slowly and the relief is instantaneous, welling up in his stomach like a sharp fall. Nate would know him anywhere. ] Doctor Agent Sweets.

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance is mentally preparing himself to keep up the acting, trying to quickly think of something believable and not let it show on his face that he's making things up on the fly, but all of that drops immediately at Nate's face and, even more so, his response. A response that clearly indicates that, unlike other familiar faces, Nate remembers exactly who he is.

So instead of a doubtlessly very smooth lie, Lance drops his act entirely and just stares in shock for a half a second before he finds his voice.]

...Nate? If you're a hallucination or something I'm going to be really annoyed.

[He doesn't know what sorts of things happen in this place yet, and he's kind of afraid to be genuinely hopeful here.]

3

[sparklequeen]

[ Glimmer is in a similar position, though in her case she has been doing nothing but drink tea and fret. She's in the kitchen, waiting on the kettle to go again while she filches yet another tea-bag from the supply in the cabinets. When Lance asks his question, she turns to look at the packaging. Huh. ]

...Yeah, I think that says crickets.

[lifetothefullest]

[At the confirmation, Lance scrunches his nose up briefly in slightly dramatic disgust, especially since he drops the expression a moment later to ask curiously--]

What do crickets even taste like?

[He supposes he's about to find out. Also, since people are from such different places, he addresses Glimmer with another question.]

Is cricket-flavor a weird thing where you're from, or is it just me?

being the most casual near the hatch

[cetra]

[ She catches sight of Lance as she also mills around the general hatch area. She's curious to see what it's all about - and is none too pleased to see they really can't just up and leave.

Not a fan. ]

Mind if I come along? [ She quips from his right, hands clasped behind her back as she leans over to catch his attention. ] Not that I'll have any idea where to go from here, but two heads are better than one, right?

[ If you're going she's latching on, man. ]

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance glances over at her, figuring from her comment that's also new and in the same boat as he is, and gives her a faint smile.]

Sure, might as well be lost together, right?

[Since he doesn't need to ask if she's new, instead he'll just ask--]

What's your name?

3

[requiemshark]

[ For lack of a better idea, and out of a small desire for something normal, Ephemera has resumed his habit of swinging by the safehouse to check on the newbies. He's trying to be more than Sharkface these days, closer to a full person, and so part of it is to offer help if he can. Answer a few questions, maybe bring in some outside food. And part of it is to ensure he doesn't get surprised by anymore Freelancers. A practical thing these days. He doesn't think his sanity can take another round of surprise introductions, not after everything he fucking knows about them now. ]

Yeah.

[ He leans against the counter, dressed in his regular clothes. A leather jacket, gloves on his hands, and a hood up to cover the worst of his scars. He doesn't recognize the man, which is probably a blessing, but he knows that look. ]

It's not that bad, believe it or not. You just got in, huh?

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance glances up when someone responds, and can't help but be shocked a moment; Ephemera isn't the first familiar face he's seen, and not even the first familiar face for whom the familiarity seems one-sided, but still. He's unexpected, and it takes Lance a moment to realized he was asked a question and to respond.]

Um, yeah, I just... Today.

[And it sucked. But okay, trying not to sound like a complete idiot--]

How long have you been here?

2.

[championofsnark]

[Hawke still lives in the safehouse, having not made enough money to get an actual place yet, and she doesn't mind the company that much. It's better than being alone, especially with the simulation playing plenty of mind games even with those who had excellent mental fortitude. She is coming back from a fight with knuckles a little bloodied and sweat pasting her short black hair to her head, and she raises an eyebrow at the fellow clearly attempting to get out.

She's the queen of casual, and also does not know him on sight which means he's new. Hawke missed the warning that there were new folks so that means the safehouse will be a bit crowded tonight. Brilliant. She flashes a sympathetic smile at him, shaking her head.]

Sorry, I know newbies when I see them. Don't worry, it's not as long as you think.

[Hawke shuts the door behind her. Honestly, she'd rather let people get out and do whatever the fuck they want to, but she does understand now the reasons why.]

The mechanical spirit thing makes you a new ID and gives you time to get used to the shite show that is New Amsterdam.

[She feels bad though, shrugging.] You can have my spare set of gloves though, if you want to keep from the magic.

[lifetothefullest]

[He knew it was a long shot, but he's still a bit annoyed at the refusal; he'd hoped that even if people weren't fooled, they might be sympathetic. Or well, sympathetic enough to agree, anyway; it does seem that Hawke is sympathetic to some extent, since she offers gloves. That's a nice gesture, although he shakes his head.]

I appreciate it, but I'm alright.

[And he didn't miss the bloody knuckles, so he has to ask--]

Are you?

[He's filing away the rest of what she said for later too, but this seems most pressing.]

arrival;

[braveoff]

[ Whoa, that is a lot of green, Drake thinks, when he responds to the call of newbies to help. He's still feeling pretty shaken by the simulation experience but decides the best way to get his feet back under him is to get up and walk again. Towards others, to help.

That turns into a jog when he sees somebody struggling with a vine using shears, he rushes over to lend a hand before they-- ]

Oof!

[ It's okay, it's okay, and he managed to catch the guy before they both hit the ground. Drake steadies him back on his feet and huffs a soft laugh, but when he sees who it is he's holding on to his easy smile turns into surprise he isn't able to catch in time. ]

La--?! uh. [ No, shit, he knows this drill. It could go either way. Just smile again, find a word that starts with 'la'... ] Land okay, buddy?

[ Saved it. ]

[lifetothefullest]

[No one should ever allow him around gardens or shears, let alone both at the same time. It's a terrible combination.

He's half embarrassed and half grateful for the help, regaining his balance and lowering the shears safely to the side, turning to see who the person is, and--

That's a familiar face, which is the last thing he expected, and he doesn't miss the surprise in Drake's expression either. But it contrasts with the question, and even if Lance wanted to call him out immediately, instead he finds himself responding with--]

I'm okay, thanks. Um, I'm supposed to ask about a glow?

3

[heliophilous]

( when it looks like there's new arrivals, marcos makes a point to hang around the safehouse to see what he can do to help.

he's long gotten past his fear of the place and now, he just wants to make sure he can pitch in when he needs to.

the question catches his attention and he glances over at the person who asked and then down at the food. )

Might be. Not a fan?

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance considers the question a moment, eyebrows furrowed, but he shrugs.]

I don't know. I've never had cricket anything before.

[Might as well ask--]

Have you?

3

[blacksky]

[She's resorted to watching people to pass the time at this point. Elektra is fairly certain it might be unappreciated if she didn't look half-asleep at any given time. She might have nodded off a few times before Sweets came in from her seat at whatever table is in the room. She opens her eyes at the question and shrugs lazily.] There are worse things to eat.

[lifetothefullest]

Well, yeah, but 'worse' is a pretty broad category.

[He's still making the ramen, though; might as well give it a shot.]

1

[excessive]

[Isaac should maybe be a bit pissy that after all the hell of the last month that they're basically dealing with cleaning up the mess of no one doing anything but he's really not. It's sadly comforting that he can be back here, and that things are... God, in one month can he call it normal?

Normal enough, though it's mostly just a desperate desire to help out. He feels so small in the world as human as he feels again, and he wants to prove he's not like he was before, that he can still help out.

Seeing someone struggling, he changes directions and heads to try.]

Hey, you might want to...

[It all happens at once, and Isaac darts forward, counting on speed and strength he doesn't have. Not like he used to. Enough though with youth and training to catch the guy, wobbling a bit as he scrambles to help. ]

Whoa, uhmm, you okay?

[lifetothefullest]

[Everything about this is embarrassing. No one should've ever allowed him to garden, because he is not cut out for it, and it's lame enough to be fighting with a vine and even more lame to be witnessed doing it. And then even worse than that is that a stranger has to help him not tumble to the ground like an idiot.

Great first day on the job. Awesome. But that's not Isaac's fault, and once Lance catches his footing he gives Isaac an appreciative glance.]

Yeah, I'm okay, thanks.

[And then, he feels like he has to ask--]

Um... I'm supposed to ask about a glow?

[2. Just totally casual and very legit (safehouse)]

[slavophile]

( William had never had the cabin fever that he recognizes in some of the newer additions, but, he does think he can make the waiting easier.

This guy seems to be sipping at something, so, William casually joining him and pouring himself something to sip should help. He's decided to make conversation, too, as he raises the glass in a cheers of solidarity. A small smile even accompanies his grand gesture. )

I know it's a lot - that needs to register - including the needing to properly register. But, once you are, it's worth it. And, you have sub-par choices at the bar in the meantime. I'm William.

[lifetothefullest]

[Lance glances over as William approaches the bar, unsure if he's just getting a drink or interested in making conversation, but it seems to be the latter and Lance offers a small small of his own at the little gesture with the glass. Lance returns it, listening to the honestly good advice even if he really just feels like continuing to be annoyed with the situation, and then nods at the introduction.}

Nice to meet you. I'm Lance.

[He takes a sip of his drink, mostly so that he can make a brief face at the taste before commenting--]

Sub-par's a good word for it, but it just reminds me of being in college. Have you been here awhile?

worse things

[overrate]

Yep.

[ he doesn't even look up. because the answer is never, ever gonna change. ]

You could go get a cricket burger. Almost looks normal.

[lifetothefullest]

'Looks' normal?

[Interesting choice of descriptors, so he has to ask--]

Is that the only thing normal about it?