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introduction log.

JUNE 1, 2021

The first day of summer - it’s unbearably hot. Temperatures are high and relentless, and without a single cloud in the sky, the sun blazes down heavily on the unlucky few stuck outside.

Weather predictions warn of an intense heatwave that’ll last all week long. The young and elderly are advised to stay indoors and hydrated, and anyone with the symptoms of a heat stroke is urged to head straight to the city hospital. Schools are temporarily closed until new air conditioners can be installed, and businesses come to a slow grind as many call out sick from heat exhaustion.

The city warns that it’s going to be a long seven days.

NEWCOMERS

RESIDENTS & NEWCOMERS

Decryption confirmed.

Condition green.

Booting program.

WELCOME TO [ AVA ]

→ MISSION 001
HEAD TO THE CITY CROSSWALK BY 1500. FIND THE [ OTHERS ]. YOUR REWARD WILL BE ANNOUNCED THEN. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

WELCOME TO [ AVA ]

[ AVA ]

WELCOME TO [ AVA ]

PEACEFUL DAYS ARE OVER

ALEA IACTA EST

→ MISSION 002
NEWCOMERS, WELCOME TO VITAE. YOUR GOAL FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS IS TO SURVIVE. IF YOU ARE ALIVE TO SEE THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH, YOU WILL BE GREATLY REWARDED.

→ MISSION 003
RESIDENTS, BE AWARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THIS CITY. ONLY TRUST THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW. YOUR COMPENSATION WILL BE PROVIDED IN TWO WEEKS' TIME.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Vitae...

[It doesn't ring any bells, but that's not too notable. It's not like he's memorized every city name on Earth or anything. ]

Well...about an hour ago, I was in a suburb outside Tokyo.

Tokyo?

[ But that's halfway across the world... ]

You're not pulling my leg, are you? Then how did you arrive here?

I'm not. I think I'd come up with a better lie than that if I was.

[Because if Jun is good at one thing, it's coming up with bullshit!!]

But I don't know. I woke up on a rooftop a few blocks from here.

[ If this was any other situation, he wouldn't have believed Jun. However, it seems on par with the weirdness that has led to their meeting so far. ]

So you're really by yourself? [ Noah sighs... he can already imagine the problems that it might cause. ] Can you walk me back to my house? I could maybe help you once we're there.

I think so...I haven't seen anyone I recognize yet. [Maybe the others were somewhere in this city, but surely they would've come investigate this message too. Oh...he hopes they're alright]

Walk you back? Uh, sure. How far is it from here?

Oh, it's just ten minutes.

[ Noah gets up slowly from his bench seat ]

I'm just worried I might faint on the way. [ what ]

[ .... 💧 ]

Uh, if you're that worried...maybe we should call an uber? [Gesturing at his TINY MACARONI BODY] If you faint, I don't know how much I'll be able to help.

[He's telling the truth with that one. Without his powers, well he really is as weak as he looks]

[ ...... ]

It's just ten minutes....

[ He really doesn't want to involve anyone else, especially other citizens. There's some good part of shame he has over his condition. ]

Or you can hold my parasol? That would be nice.

[Well...he tried to warn the guy. But if he's that set on it, not like he's gonna stop him]

...Sure. I can do that.

[Holds out his hand. Give him the parasol!]

[ Jun can hold the rather expensively crafted parasol while they walk through the city streets. It seems like Noah is headed away from the main avenues and onto a more private lane, though - he's holding out fine so far, but soon there's a lady dressed in white briskly walking towards them.

She addresses Noah first, thankfully: ]

Young Master, where have you been? You know you must not go out in this sort of weather. [ She looks at Jun and takes the parasol from him a moment later, holding it up so that it covers both kids. ]

I'm fine... [ Noah protests as they start walking again. ] I went to pick up someone from school. They don't have a safe place to stay now.

[ The maid is courteous enough to let Jun come along. Noah is surprisingly convincing at making stuff up on the fly. ]

[Well, his life has certain taken another step towards the bizarre. It's one thing to be transported halfway across the world and have an eclipse-like barrier appear over the city...

But now his walk with Noah was starting to seem like something out of an anime about rich people. He can only watch in half-awe as this all plays out, a little impressed at how quickly this guy comes up with a story

He'll go along with it, trying to make himself as convincing as possible]

A-Ah, yeah. Sorry that I called on such short notice. I didn't know who else to turn to...

[ They're headed towards a mansion with a large lawn. No one is outside on the grounds right now, but they look very well maintained. The maid doesn't question Noah, though that's because he has to convince his parents as well. ]

Hey Iris, [ Noah addresses the maid, ] do you see anything weird with the sky?

[ The maid glances up. ] No. Why?

Oh, it's nothing. I'm probably just seeing things. [ He's playing cautious for now. ] I'll go take a rest once we're home.

[ Their walk continues in relative silence - Noah did say it was ten minutes, after all. The estate gates open smoothly on their approach, and they're greeted by a blast of air conditioning once they enter the marble foyer. The maid heads in another direction, and Noah starts talking once she's gone. ]

Um... don't tell anyone I live here, okay? I try to keep things low-key. [ But anyways - they're both sweaty from the walk, and Noah has a mind to get changed. ] You just came by yourself, right? You'll need some spare clothes... I guess you have to use mine for now.

[ He wouldn't send the maids out for no good reason, he's not that kind of pampered heir. ]

I'll be back. If anyone asks why you're here, you can tell them you're my guest. I'm Noah.

[ yeah they didn't even exchange names

It takes about five minutes for him to get back with some folded clothes. In contrast with the formality of a former noble's estate. Noah owns mostly modern clothes, so Jun will get a tee and shorts. ]

[Jun continues the rest of the walk in silence, but he does listen to their conversation. It's a little strange that the maid doesn't notice the sky...usually a barrier like that would be noticed even by normal people. But maybe there was a reason for it- already this situation was a lot stranger than his usual missions.

Finally they reach the destination, and man- it's an actual mansion. He shouldn't be surprise considering a maid greeted him, but still. He's seen Hokuto-senpai flex her wealth before here and there, but even she kept it a bit more on the downlow.

Though...sounds like Noah is the same way.]

Ah, of course. I don't really have anyone to tell anyway. [considering he knows no one in town. Plus, this guy is being real charitable to him, he knows to be thankful for that.

But oh right, they haven't exchanged names yet. Life really has been such a whirlwind.]

Jun. Thank you for this, Noah.

[He sits and waits for Noah to return with the clothing, just enjoying the cold air from the air conditioning after being out for so long in the heat. When he returns, he'll take the clothes. Shorts and a tee- that'll do enough. ]

Thanks... [Glancing around] Is there a bathroom I can change...?

Yeah, you can use the guest rooms.

[ Noah brings Jun to another wing of the mansion. The guest room is just a bedroom, but it's well maintained and there's an attached bathroom as well.

When Jun opens the door, he sees a tall woman with white hair talking to Noah. She has her back to him, so Jun could listen to them talk without being noticed. ]

- bringing strangers to the house without notice. You know how important safety is.

Mom, he's not a stranger, he's from my class. What if he gets heat exhaustion in the dorm and no one's around? He can't go back to Japan on short notice either. It'll just be during the weather and he's well behaved.

[ Noah's mother sighs, though she seems convinced for now. ]

Alright. Just during the weather then.

[ Noah brightens, but not by much - it seems that his polite and mild-mannered attitude is a very ingrained part of his personality. He gives the woman a hug ]

Yay! Thanks mom. Oh! He's done changing I think...

[ Noah's mother turns around. She has the same deep blue eyes and white hair as her son, though she doesn't look that old. Maybe it's the skincare routine? She's definitely dressed in the same refined manner as her son, though she doesn't have any jewelry except for a crescent moon necklace. If Jun looks around, he might notice various moon motifs in the mansion's decorations. ]

Hello. You're Jun, yes? Noah likes you a lot. Try to rest up, the weather is dreadful these days.

[ She gives Noah a pat on the head ]

I'm going back to the office. Take care of yourself alright?

[ And she's on her way back to business. ]

[He thanks him again before heading into the bathroom. From there, he changes into the clothes that Noah provided, washes his face to get the sweat off, and checks the seal mark on his arm before carefully covering it up with the sleeve of the tee. He also takes a moment to try to call Kou-- but the call fails to connect. Damn.

That disappointment passing, he'll finally come out of the bathroom in time to witness this scene. He's...a little stunned honestly. It's one thing to tell a quick fib to a maid, but to have this guy argue for him to stay. He really didn't expect this kind of treatment.

He's quiet as it all transpire, only giving a nod and "yes ma'am" when his mom addresses him. It's only when him and Noah are alone does he speak up again]

...You're doing an awful lot for a guy you just met...

I know.

[ Noah turns serious once his mom leaves earshot ]

But I can't leave you stranded in an unfamiliar place. Plus, there's been a lot of strange things in a short period of time before we met. You heard how Iris doesn't even notice that thing in the sky... I'm worried.

[ Zeke said they might be up against something much bigger, too. ]

To meet the 'others', and survive. Even if I don't believe what horse crap the app says, I don't want you to faint and get into hospital with only a foreign ID. It'll be a lot of legal trouble and I don't want to spring it on your parents.

[ Not everyone is as rich as the Ebalon family, that's for sure. ]

You will be nice, right? I'm trusting you on this.... This isn't a threat from me, but if you do end up doing anything weird, the maids will come after you.

[ This is true. The Ebalon servants all know martial arts. ]

[Well...that's a very logical argument. He can't deny a lot of the points, and it does sound like something himself or Kou would do. Still, he's getting used to people actually looking after him.

All he can do is relent.]

...Yeah. I'll be nice. [No need to send the maid staff!] Thank you, Noah. I'll find some way to pay you back.

It's okay. I'm just doing my part.

[ He's trying to be useful here. Though, a sudden bout of vertigo makes him lean on the wall for support. ]

Ah... I should probably sit down somewhere... d'you want to go to the lounge with me?

[ It's a place for guest reception, so it's less awkward than going to someone's room. He figures he can get to know Jun a bit more before he leaves the other youth to his own devices.

The lounge also has air conditioning, and it's decorated in a more casual manner. There's also a full moon plaque hanging on one of the walls. Noah texts one of the maids to bring some water over. ]

So.... you're in school, right? How's it like in Japan?

[ Noah's mom would be more satisfied if she saw hardworking kids. ]

[He watches the guy need to lean on the wall for support- once again not looking well. Was he sick with something? Should he say something...?

Instead he just nods. Maybe it's best to just go along with it. Whatever was going on with Noah, it didn't seem to be new. He sits down in the lounge. Considering how busy his day has been between everything that happened back home and now this, it feels surprisingly good to be sitting down in a comfortable chair.

...Though man, this family has a serious moon theme going on. What's with that?]

Aha- yeah! I'm a second year in high school. What about you?

[ Oh you know, sometimes noble families just get obsessed with their crest and have to display it everywhere. ]

I just started university, though with the weather, I have to take classes at home.

[ Yeah, he thinks it's a good decision to give Jun a place to stay. Vitae isn't a crime city, but having a minor out on the streets is questionable at best. ]

I guess you can go to school here too if you want...? I'm not sure how though...

[ Surely Jun is not going to run around the streets like a hooligan. ]

Oh, so you're older than me!

[A university student even! He can't say he's spoken with many of those before.

But right school. He actually liked school, but it was mostly because of his friends. Considering his life career was already set in stone for him, its not like he cared about going for the sake of a diploma.]

Haha...School would be nice, but I think I should focus on finding a way home first. [...] And probably getting a job, so I'll be able to support myself once this hot weather passes.

[You know, since he'll be out of here and on the streets then]

Getting a job, huh... I don't suppose you have your passport with you?

[ Do people usually carry their IDs on their person? Noah does, but that's also because his card contains information for paramedics if he loses consciousness in public. ]

You could get something part-time. I don't know if people here will hire minors full-time.

[he sighs] No...I left that back in my apartment. [In Tokyo] All I have on me is a school ID and my phone.

[Since yeah he was just attending a concert back home, not traveling internationally]

Part time's fine. [Kou does part time work! But what kind could he do...] Hmm...I got a job offer from a maid cafe once, maybe I should try applying to one here.

[uh. that escalated.]

Maid cafe....?

[ Now that gets Noah to look at him quizzically. ]

Are you sure? That seems a little... I dunno... [ isn't it a job that requires you to hit on people? he's just a little worried. ] Would you be alright?

[....]

I'll adapt.

[He does what must be done ]

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