A TRAIN COMES INTO THE STATION.
You wake up on a train.
Your phone is buzzing. It's in your pocket, in your hand, on the seat next to you. It's a normal phone, and you're on a normal train car. One of the lights flickers, a little further down. The world is very quiet. It feels like you're right where you're meant to be. On the phone's surface is a white screen and the words—
WELCOME TO THE CITY. BEGIN ORIENTATION?
▶ NO
Please take a moment to complete your orientation.
Once you're finished, the subway doors slide open to let you out onto the train platform. To your right, the platform continues on and eventually ends; to the left is a set of stairs that will lead you up into the station itself. The platform is quiet, clean, empty—there's no one else around, and the only sounds you can hear are your own footsteps, your own breaths, and the occasional faraway sound of a creaking pipe or rush of air. The train you disembarked will stay there as long as you do, its doors still open, until you finally decide to venture up into this new locale.
As you make your way up the stairs to your left, you find yourself in the belly of City Hall station. The station is large, a sprawling underground mini-metropolis of corridors and storefronts. Here, you may find others like you, freshly-arrived city residents from other realms (or even your own). There is also a subway map, which will give you an idea of the layout of the neighborhood, and ticketing machines, which can currently only be used to buy tickets to a handful of stations located on lines 1, 2, and 9.
If you're hungry or in need of any kind of supplies, there are plenty of storefronts inside the subway station as well—snack stands, convenience stores, restaurants, clothing stores, a pharmacy, and a variety of empty shops that may or may not have ever been in use. Everything is unlocked, and you can take whatever you need.
Characters may stay on the train platform indefinitely, and may re-board and re-disembark from the subway as many times as they like, but the train will not depart nor will the doors close. Once they go up the stairs into the train station, they may hear the train doors closing and the train departing. Another train will not arrive, no matter how long the character waits. Only once they come up the stairs into the station itself may characters encounter their fellow newly-arrived residents and take advantage of what the city has to offer.
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WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
The station is located in the city center. It has three major exits that lead to areas of interest in the district, but there are several other smaller exits that lead in other directions around the neighborhood. You are welcome to use any of them, but may find the north, southwest, and east exits to be the most welcoming.
TO THE NORTH
The northern entrance to the station leads up into the sunlight and puts you out in a brickwork plaza. There's a modest building in front of you, three or four stories of stone with a welcoming facade. There's a sign above the entryway—it says City Hall. You may be tempted to explore, if you're interested in learning more about the city and how it functions, but prepare to find yourself disappointed—the folders in the records rooms are full of empty, blank sheets of paper, and the logbooks and balance sheets are similarly devoid of information.
Immediately to the southwest of City Hall, you will find a small building that houses the tourist information kiosk. It looks welcoming, with an inviting glass facade and a sign above the entryway announcing it as the "TOURIST CENTER." It's a humble building with a receptionist's desk on the back wall opposite the entrance, empty magazine shelves lining the side walls, and a few spinning brochure racks full of blank pamphlets. Anyone is welcome to peruse the tourist literature, though they won't offer much information, being primarily filled with pictures of the surrounding area—City Hall, the park, a statue garden, and the surprisingly heavily-featured cemetery. There are a few sentences sprinkled throughout about basic offerings of the city, such as apartment complexes and office buildings, as well as a few maps with the same limited scope as the larger version on the wall behind the receptionist's desk.
The main feature of the tourist center is the interactive kiosk installed dead in the center, right in the middle of a few rows of uncomfortable chairs that fill the small room. It's noticeably in the way of any would-be foot traffic through the tourist center, and something about the technology seems a little more modern than the computer behind the desk or the landline phone on the wall. The kiosk is a tall silver rectangle, about average adult height, and the upper half is a screen welcoming visitors to touch it to activate the kiosk. If you were to touch it, the screen would come to life with simple dialogue inviting visitors to ask it their questions.
However, residents should note that the kiosk is only programmed to assist with exploration within the available areas of the city. It may not be able to answer every question, and tampering with the kiosk may result in unreliable or inaccurate answers!
TO THE SOUTHWEST
The western exit of the station takes you up into a city park, lush and green with a very light fog still hanging about the trees. There are lampposts on the walkways and benches where you could rest, and plenty of flora, although you can neither see nor hear any signs of animal life. You walk the paths that meander idly through the verdant grass and you feel a sense of peace, some of your unease about this place easing into a pleasant calm. The air smells fresh, like it's recently rained, and you'll find the grass ever so slightly damp should you decide to take a seat.
As you make your way deeper into the park, the trees grow denser and the smell of soil and plant life grows stronger. This is the older part of the park, very nearly a forest, with ivy climbing the trunks of the trees and plants and shrubs growing riotously around their bases. As you turn a corner, you find yourself first in the statue garden, although the statues are harder to see now, choked as they are with ivy. There are many statues, some partially obscured, some fully—very few of them still stand free of the vines and clinging roots. (It doesn't feel quite as peaceful here.) If a statue's face looks a little bit familiar, you may not want to look at it too long.
Continue down the path and you will find yourself in a graveyard, one that seems centuries old. Most of the headstones are worn away by time and covered in moss, rendering them impossible to read. The few that are free of moss are blank, or bear only suggestions of names too faint to be understood. (Was that the name of—no, it couldn't have been. Could it?) Many of the headstones stand at an angle or are toppled over completely, having been subjected to either strong winds or the roots of the trees that grow up from some of the graves, spreading branches toward the sky.
TO THE EAST
The final exit of the station, to the east, puts you out on a quiet surface street. Are you hungry? Or are you paralyzed by choice? There are plenty of restaurants, offering options of almost any food you can imagine. You could try a convenience store—it's well stocked, and the items there seem free for the taking. How about a restaurant? There's no one to take your order, but when you look in the kitchen, there's something on the stove, and it's just what you've been craving. Imagine that.
A few blocks down, you come in through the lobby of a tall building and find yourself in a corporate office. The fluorescent lights are steady and unforgiving, and the cubicles and offices are empty. There are a few pieces of paper on desks, a few folders left in organizers, but everything is perfectly blank. Despite how empty and quiet the office is, it nonetheless gives you the feeling that just a few minutes ago, this place was bustling with workers going about their daily business.
You enter another building and find yourself in the lobby of an apartment complex—finally, a place to rest. The first door you try opens easily into a completely empty living room, freshly vacuumed but without a single piece of furniture. It's a nice apartment, quiet, but with a little too much echo for your taste, maybe. Still, and perhaps oddly, you have no trouble envisioning what life here would be like.
The second door you open leads to an apartment that feels lived-in. Why does it feel lived-in? It's fully furnished with items that seem to go together perfectly, true, but the feeling is more than that—the room feels like someone was just here, maybe standing right in the kitchen only moments before you swung the door open. The air is a perfectly comfortable temperature, and it somehow smells like home despite that you've never once set foot here before. The refrigerator is stocked, and the cabinets are full of spices and flatware and kitchen utensils.
As you look around the living room, you find that there are pictures in frames on the walls and some of the flat surfaces—a seascape, a field, a shot of a city park bench. In each of the photos there's something just slightly wrong with the angle, as though the photographer were aiming for a subject that can no longer be seen.
Characters are welcome to explore the district around the City Hall subway station to their heart's content. The City Hall building itself contains several floors of offices and file rooms, but none of them contain any particularly interesting information. Nonetheless, characters may wish to team up with other newcomers and try to find some hints about the nature of the city. They can also spend a while in the park, the statue garden, or the graveyard. In the blocks surrounding the station there are plenty of options for food and housing, as well as office buildings, storefronts, and alleyways to look around. There are no workers in any of the buildings, and there does not seem to be an honor system for payment, nor any consequences for taking food from the stores or setting up camp in an apartment or office building.
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SO A TURKEY WALKS INTO A BOWLING ALLEY...
There's a bowling alley open in the newly-accessible district, and you're invited to come test your mettle!
Walking into the lobby, you're struck by a peculiar combination of scents—shoe polish, floor wax, pretzels and nachos, and something pungent and a little oily. On the wall behind the desk is a shelf full of pair after pair of shoes, in every size you could possibly imagine, and there's a low rack filled with brightly-colored, heavy bowling balls that are ready for the taking. You can also hear the low hum of machinery and the rattle of pins being reset every time someone knocks them down, the bowling alley a well-oiled machine despite the fact that no one seems to be manning it.
You can bowl alone, start a match play (1-v-1), or bowl as a team, but you'll quickly find that bowling is much more fun (and somehow easier) when you're playing with others. Maybe it's because being around other people raises your spirits, but you feel more confident when you step up to bowl, and you find that when you're playing as part of a team, the bowling ball travels faster and in a straighter line, and you seem to be making strikes and spares with much greater frequency. Teamwork really does make the dream work!
If you occasionally see what you think might be the shadow of someone passing behind the machinery at the far end of the lane, don't worry about it—that's probably just your imagination.
If you stop by the bowling alley at night, you will find the place totally transformed. There's a disco ball hanging from the ceiling and brightly-colored lights flashing and dancing around the floor and walls. Any white parts of your clothing glow a delightful blueish color, and you find that you're illuminated in all kinds of interesting shades by the blacklight bulbs glowing in the ceiling. This is cosmic bowling, truly not for the faint of heart!
When you've finished bowling, you may want to stop by the snack area for a pretzel or hot dog, a soda, or—if you're there for cosmic bowling—maybe even a more adult beverage from the food counter on the far end of the building.
There isn't anything especially spooky about the bowling alley—except, of course, being forced to wear shoes that have been worn by a hundred strangers before. Characters are welcome to find their shoe size, grab a bowling ball, and go to town! Characters who come during the day will encounter a normal bowling alley, but they can always come back at night to get the full cosmic bowling experience. There will always be shoes in their sizes, the pins will reset themselves, and the balls will always be returned. Just be careful, those ball chutes can crush your fingers if you're not careful!
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WILDCARD.
The city is by no means small, and there are plenty of things for you to see. There's no rush in exploring, so feel free to take your time looking around and peering into various nooks and crannies and alleyways—and don't worry, you're not very likely to find anything peering back.
If none of the above prompts appeal, feel free to check out the Locations and Maps pages and write your own freestyle prompt using one or many of the available locations.
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citycenter) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
citylogs2023-07-01 11:00 am
no subject
No charge, of course, friend. I'm only a recently traveler doing his best to provide for my new surroundings.
[ Laying it on just a bit thick. But he plants an elbow on his knee and rests his chin in his upturned hand, watching the man with knowing eyes. ]
Do you think there's something wrong?
no subject
That's not fair. I have to repay you with something. It can't be terribly elaborate, I'm afraid, but I don't intend to collect debt here.
I personally don't feel anything wrong at all, but you're the expert, right? Tell me what I owe you for the fortune. I'm sure we can agree on something.
no subject
Information, then. You seem like the sort of fellow who knows things.
[ There's a sort of wry acknowledgment there, even as Molly reaches for his deck to shuffle. After a round or two, he holds the stack out to Seimei in offer. ]
Deal?
no subject
[ Well that sounds better. And interesting, which is definitely the important part. Seimei settles into a sitting position in front of Molly, the picture of an attentive customer, and when the cards are offered out he accepts them with both hands. ]
Why not? I don't mind trading knowledge for knowledge. It seems very exciting, doesn't it? What should I do first?
[ Everyone has their rituals for games, and Seimei always likes a good game. This one seems like it's got some great potential so far. ]
no subject
[ And give Molly a good moment or so to really study him while Seimei is distracted. In part to give him something to start from in order to do a proper reading, but also just to try and get the measure of the man. There's something there, he has too familiar a smile for Molly not to pick up on that, but past that it's all just hunches.
But hunches tend to serve him well. ]
While you're at it, think of a question you'd like answered. As vague or specific as you'd like.
no subject
[ He holds the cards in one hand and places the other on the top, closing his eyes for a more serious effect like he's making a wish. ]
Hello. I'll take any answer you give me, but I'd like it to be a nice one, okay? Thank you!
[ And that chipper little statement given, Seimei opens his eyes and shuffles the deck, putting forth all of the elegance and formality he was brought up with into those movements. When he's satisfied, he sets the newly shuffled deck down with both hands and pushes it back toward Molly with an inclined posture, like he's offering something before an official in a bygone time. When he straightens up again, however, he's beaming. ]
They have such a nice feeling. Did you bring those with you?
no subject
But he can't help but smile as he picks the deck up again, letting the cards fly from one hand to the other. ]
I did. [ They're a lot more personal than that, even, but they can get into that later. For the moment, he settles the deck into a neat pile and pulls a card. ]
Rumor. Nice enough, I suppose. [ An amused glance sent Seimei's way. ] Looking for information yourself, are you?
no subject
Ah, that's true! You're not just guessing, right? I mean, I'm sure a lot of us are looking for information. How did we get here and what do the ones that brought us here want? Can we even get home? Those kinds of questions must be weighing on us all, right?
[ He's pushing a bit, but he does want to know exactly how far this tarot reader can go. Give him a shock! ]
no subject
[ He seems unruffled by the poking, pointed as it is. If he folded under questioning, Molly would never have gotten this far. It does make him want to pull out the stops, though, so he flicks out another card. ]
The Dream. Oh my. [ He makes a bit of a show of considering the card before setting it down. ] The dream of things yet to come. Perhaps to say that this fascinating new world can be shaped? The only limit is imagination, you know.
no subject
Oh? You think this world can be shaped? I'd love to know how. It feels like a locked door holding something behind it that we can't access.
[ But they must have been brought for some reason, and he definitely wants to know more. Dreams of things to come? Maybe that does exist beyond the lock. ]
I hope I can see more of that dream soon. I'm impatient.
no subject
[ It's a bit flippant, but it belies the way Molly is studying him a bit more intently. He certainly seems to be taking Molly seriously to some degree, for all that he must know everything is bullshit, and that's intriguing. ]
Perhaps in the less literal sense we shape our own impressions of it.
[ And with that, Molly flicks out the final card and gives it a sage nod. ]
Oh yes, The Anvil. I'd say that's a definite lean towards making this work for ourselves. But do tell me what you, think, dear.
no subject
How profound... Things are what we make them. Yes, yes, I see what you mean. Perception and belief certainly play their part in shaping reality. If we keep believing something, then it might as well be true in the end.
[ He smiles with bit of teasing humor in his eyes. Not malicious, but far from passive as the fox assesses his companion. ]
I'm not familiar with this kind of reading, so you'll have to guide me through this. But rumors and dreams are both impressions that can influence us without being accurate, right? The opinions of others and the subconscious stimulation of our environment lead to rumors and dreams, which can sway our feelings even if they are exaggerated. But this city is empty, and ever since I arrived I have felt that the air has been unusually still. Maybe it's giving me a cautionary warning not to be misled by any mysterious impressions, or else I'll be hit in the head with a very hard and cruel truth!
[ He is far too cheerful about that interpretation. ]
But if that were true, I shouldn't trust anyone. Maybe it's saying there's a pebble or an anvil of truth beneath every performance no matter how dreamlike?
no subject
[ Molly smiles placidly in return, almost unblinking under the weight of that measuring look. ]
I hardly think you need to be that literal, though. Rumors can also be about improvisation, no? Reacting to things as they occur? I'd say more that you'll know what's real and what isn't. You seem the type to be very sure of yourself.
[ To say the least. Molly's smile sharpens just a touch. ]
no subject
[ He's just an audience member, whether they are on stage or on the street. Seimei grins, enjoying the play of performance. His new friend would certainly be a great go player. ]
Ah, you're right. I suppose one could look at it that way. I didn't consider that.
[ Seimei nods seriously, the smile still playing at the corners of his mouth. ]
See? That's why I need you. Interpreting these meanings are difficult. Well, what about dreams, then? If it isn't a real dream, then what could that be?
no subject
[ And Seimei seems like exactly the sort of person to have the drive to make his wishes come true, from what Molly can tell. Or at least to throw himself towards them. Molly can relate, to a degree. The drive yes, but he's never been great at looking ahead. He does tend to attract people who will do that part for him.
But for now he smiles, folding his hands in front of himself. ]
Any other questions?
no subject
[ Okay, he does like that. It's a warm answer, an explanation that feels romantic and sweet, and Seimei does like his sweets. As much as he enjoys playing games with this fortune teller, he still appreciates a smart answer. That's really all that matters in the end. ]
No, I think that answers everything nicely. Perhaps I will have my dream come true if I work hard enough? But what I hope for is that we'll get a chance to do this again. What do you think?