28 February 2020 @ 08:42 pm
has anyone tried any of the local drink specials yet?[ guess who has cash now and doesn't need to rely on starting bar fights or free booze. ]or any of the ones in all the places we can travel to?
kind of down to try something new.
18 February 2020 @ 10:35 am
[Bad username or site: angela @ roberts]
Hey everyone!
Cass and I were talking about the Safehouse and how things could be a little more livable there. With most things digital and people cut off from the broader system the first few days, there’s not a lot to do. We were thinking we could put together some board games and cards or something to keep in the Safehouse. If anyone wanted to donate materials or their time and talents to help out, that would be appreciated. Or suggestions on other things that would be useful to put in the Safehouse.
[Bad username or site: cassandra @ cain]
I think having a way to listen to or make music would be helpful. If that's something that is possible?
[Bad username or site: angela @ roberts]
If anyone has an idea on how to make this possible, chime in!
Also if anyone has clothes or blankets to donate, that would be really useful too. We all know the selection is a bit mismatched.
All you new arrivals, please chime in if there’s anything you need. There’s a Guide if you need more information on our situation. If you aren't used to technology, [handwavy directions on how to open a link with the implant].
Edit: If anyone can spare some credits toward setting up a VR system in the safehouse, please let me know.
17 February 2020 @ 11:29 am
Hey babes!
I've been thinking a lot about how we have a treasure trove of useful skills at our disposal and we are not using them as well as we could. We should be sharing what we know! I don't mean information this time, but skills.
Like I know how to fight, and I'm also excellent at basket-weaving, pegasus riding, first aid, knitting, baking, and I know too much about Greek mythology. But I can't do math to save my life, I tried to fix an alarm clock once and broke the screwdriver, if I tried to shoot a gun without training there would definitely be instances of friendly fire, and apparently I'm an awful storyteller.
Maybe we could all offer a mini-class in something so then everyone could benefit from these skills? That could be cool! We're only as strong as our weakest link and if we learn from each other, our links will grow stronger.
So MY PROPOSAL is that everyone should come in here and offer something they could teach someone else as well as what they want to learn in turn. Maybe it won't be the same person but there is nothing wrong with meeting new people, don't be babies. It's educational bartering.
I can offer baking, basket-weaving, knitting, and Ancient Greek style fighting, weapons to be determined. I would like to learn how to unclog a sink because that seems like something I should know how to do and how to keep a plant alive for longer than two minutes. And that whole gun thing. That could be handy.
xoxo Silena( forward dated a couple days to when new arrivals have their ids, so have at. )
13 February 2020 @ 07:12 am
Would anyone like to go dancing? You don't need to know how, I can teach you if you're at all amenable to things from the 1920s on through the 1940s. Ain't no bother, neither, so go on and put that thought right out of your head.
But if dancing ain't your style, I'm planning on putting down a dinner on Sunday. I can't promise I'll make the best insect protein steak roast you've ever had, but it'll probably be pretty damn close. RSVP if you'd like to come so I can get a decent headcount and won't leave nobody hungry.
Hope y'all are faring well after our latest adventure.
I do sincerely appreciate your time,
- EPH. ( maybe it's on account'a his southern hospitality an' all, but he's feelin' a queer sort'a loneliness an' he knows the best way to get outta his own head a spell is to reach out to others. findin' out most'a the places he might've otherwise wanted to see for yourself ain't accessible in this new world surely didn't help his head none. )
11 February 2020 @ 06:51 pm
[In truth, Akechi wishes he could do a video of some kind to make his point. He's much better when he has an audience, and words don't cut it. Part of the appeal of being the second coming of the Detective Prince had been his looks. But that's fine. He'll manage without that. Besides, he does truly require the assistance of the other Displaced, even if the very idea of it feels like a betrayal to himself.] Oh, hello.
While we're discussing theories, I'm here to point out a stone that's been left unturned for some time. For reasons that are ultimately beyond me, we've failed to step into a political sphere. Before you jump to comment about how that would expose us, that's not what I'm saying. Exposure could do us some good, but I understand that it's far from what anyone prefers. Well, especially since we all believe we'll be little more than rats to be experimented on. Or perhaps because we already think we are!
But such pessimism isn't why I'm here.
No, I have a proposal. We need to align ourselves with politicians. Several months ago, I joined Katelin Jovavich's campaign. At the time, she seemed like a done deal. Unfortunately, her political savvy has … failed her. But she's still full of information, such as the identity of one JPG. Said set of acronyms showed up in a report that my partner [Bad username or site: ren @ amamiya] turned up as his payment for working for Cassius about a mysterious lab explosion, one that had ties to an alternate world where all of the (present at the time) Displaced turned up in during December.
No, no, now isn't the time to litigate the "Cassius" aspect of that information. As Ren pointed out at the time, one person was already taking the deal, so any stands we could've made were null and void.
While I do intend to leave Jovavich's campaign soon, I believe now is the time to get someone in there with the ability to get her to talk. I know her movements well enough. Consider this a request for help.
And beyond that: consider a political career. I do believe that Joseph Lynch is quite promising, if a bit unimaginative. Perhaps that could appeal to someone else.
The important point is not to let a potential opening go to waste any longer. I believe this group has done it for far too long.
So, what do you say? Surely one of you has lofty political aspirations.
09 February 2020 @ 03:24 am
What's up Mystery Inc, coming at you live from Mount Everest with a very uncool update.
Basically: one of the sherpas up here isn't actually a sherpa, so me and [Bad username or site: nathan @ drake] yanked him to ask him a couple questions. This is what we got:
- Him and a couple others were hired to make sure that we got to our destinations in one piece.
- They work for a merc outfit called Global Spiral.
- Doesn't know the name of whoever hired them or anything about this person.
- He didn't know why he or the others were hired to do any of this shit.
Some of you guys got kidnapped so I figure whoever hired the Global Spiral guys was calling those shots too. Seems like they wanted us to get to our destinations safe and sound, or as safe and sound as you can be when you've been kidnapped and misled. Our guy was armed and well-trained so these people aren't to be underestimated.[ Nate (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nonscriptum) and Tim will both be around to answer questions, so you can leave 'em here and someone will get to them! In terms of timescale, this is during that 24-48 hour acclimation period! ]
31 January 2020 @ 12:50 pm
Okay so can everyone see this? Being kidnapped twice is super cool (sarcasm). What are you seeing where you are? I'm not sure if we're all looking at the same stuff or what it means. There are definitely some puzzles and the whole 'if you do this on this wall then some other wall opens up' going on. Is that everywhere?
Sorry if I'm being vague, I'm not sure what details are helpful. Also watch out for the animals if there are any around you. Feel free to respond here with info on your areas and read it for that info because people have been here longer and know things that I don't.
Edit: I am in New Rio BTW. So there's where you guys went at Everest and Oslo, and people kidnapped to New Cairo and Rio. Which is just great.
Edit: Okay I am going to put photos of what I'm seeing on here. I am going to add Angela's. If you want me to add yours send it over.[ooc: See in comments several people posting photos from their locations with details about where everyone is. Quentin will put all the photos on here for people to look at. Feel free to have your character add!]
29 January 2020 @ 05:07 pm
Anybody left in New Amsterdam who can spare an hour or two to help at the bar while the rest are away, I'd appreciate it.
As for the rest of you, take care, especially those of you who didn't have the time to prepare. Remember that you have resources available to you that your new friends don't. They made a move but you don't need to stay on the back foot.
Keep us updated, stay safe. If you need something seen to back here in the city, let us know and we'll do what we can.[ and by "us" he means "dear god let somebody else also still be here"
xoxo, the soon-to-be most exhausted man in new amsterdam ]
27 January 2020 @ 01:20 pm
what is w this place n kidnapping
like srsly
idk what idea guy told the peeps in charge that kidnapping was the best way to say hello
but they need to be fired
ugh
im going to have sand in places for weeks
24 January 2020 @ 01:17 am
[ gross, talking to people. but needs must. ]There is someone infected with something, a drug or virus, that looks connected to other recent happenings:
• a monster attack, the first sighting of golden-eyed creatures
• a building on fire that the displaced were sent to, there were creature carcasses inside and burning their bodies produced a smoke that infected people with a fury that could only be cured by the displaced touching people
• the carcasses seem to have been turned into a vaped drug that produces the same rage effect and can be remedied in the same manner but the cure hurts like hell
• during the EMP blackouts, a small group of displaced ventured into the woods outside the wall and encountered golden-eyed animals in the wild, their bites also gave the same furious condition, these are the same animals that have been coming into the city since then, they die quickly
• these golden-eyed monsters were also found in a research facility, unknown if the rage illness was experienced there
Since traces of the monster DNA were found in people affected by the virus and they're healed the same way, I think it's safe to say it's all related.
People with golden eyes seem to be new and they are dangerous. We know how to counteract the virus, but it's harder to do when they're already stronger than a normal human without getting them or ourselves killed in the process. We need to cure them before anyone gets killed and before the UNA finds out. We need to figure this out.
Don't go looking for them by yourself and die from your inflated ego. We've only got the one medi-unit.
20 January 2020 @ 08:40 am
hi!! you might not have heard of me (yet ♥) but i'm lottie and i'm a fashion blogger!! it's what i love to do and how i express myself. and it's a bit rough to have to start all my social media from scratch but sometimes a blank slate can be refreshing, right?? my cooltalk is under the same name i use here.[ Branding! And if anyone were to search her cooltalk an account appears that features a lot of "what I wore" style selfies (featuring some brightly colored wigs) as well as Lottie's quest for the perfect cold brew and some shots around New Amsterdam. She has a surprising number of followers for a recent arrival. ]anyway i figure a lot of you are in the same boat so i wondered if anyone wanted to do a follow exchange?? or maybe collaborate! i'm always available for photos and i don't know any photographers here. maybe we can share tips on how to work the buzzcut? (lol as if) there's no reason this feed has to be full of serious mission things all the time tbh.
xoxo lottie
p.s. if anyone is a doctor, dm me.
02 January 2020 @ 05:31 pm
In light of the trip to Mt. Everest some of you seem to wish to undertake, and with consideration for how preciously few of us are trained medical professionals, I have decided to offer a first aid course at the Safehouse.
I will strive to make this as extensive as time will allow it to be, and anyone – regardless of their stance regarding mountaineering – is welcome to attend. You never know when this kind of knowledge might come in handy.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them here.
ETA: [Bad username or site: clarke @ griffin] asked me to add that those interested in the trip to New Oslo might wish to consider learning the basics as well. I believe she is quite right – the fewer risks we take, the better.
01 January 2020 @ 05:48 pm
[Bad username or site: kira @ solo]:
Hello, everyone. There are a lot of new faces around the safe house so I'm going to try to make sure to catch you up as best I can. Insomniac Ball, a city organizer and apparent leader of the religious group that have painted shrines to us throughout the city since we fought those creatures, gave us the locations to something he called “gates.” ([Bad username or site: Loki @ Odinson] and I posted more about this group HERE if you want more information.) Ball claims the gates will prove something about the blue light in our chests, tell us why his people have been worshipping us.
Whether that's true or not, it seems safe to say that discovering what's there will give us more information on what was done to us, how it works, and maybe even how it's limiting the powers some of us used to have access to.
That's why Wei and I have been working on a way to get to them, and we want everyone together on it. The two most promising locations are Mt. Everest and New Oslo. [Bad username or site: xuanyo @ mo]
Hi, I'm "Wei"! That's me, surprise! My countrymen and I spent our time in New Beijing looking into how to get to and from Mt. Everest without setting off alarms, and we think we're at least able to offer you all some idea of what the trek to the gate will look like.
I don't suggest that anybody who isn't extremely physically fit undertake the journey to Mt. Everest - a lot of people have died in the past on that climb in the past. That doesn't mean we don't need your help. Those going to Mt. Everest will travel under the disguise of eco-tourists creating art, music and more on social media to bring attention to the new, green wonders of the world and the need to preserve and maintain them. If you have connections that will support our disguise or get us a good boat that won't sink, we'd be happy for them.
Yes, I said boat! Travel after arrival to New Beijing will be along the rivers by boat, so this is an extended trip - make sure your jobs are flexible if you want to come. The boat is the cheapest option for this trip in particular. Knowing that, we could really use people good at fundraising and awareness-raising for the other two trips we'll need to go on. Even if you're not interested in making the physical journey, your help and ideas would be appreciated. [Bad username or site: kira @ solo]
Right, because we’d like to do this again with the other gates once we know what’s waiting at these.
Those who aren’t able to make the trek up Everest can go to the New Oslo location under a different banner. The city is easily accessible by train. For Everest, it sounds like we’ll need food, camping and climbing supplies, and maybe even oxygen tanks in addition to the train tickets. It’ll be a long hike.
I’d like us to get moving in the next couple of weeks. If you can help, or if you want to make the trip with us, we should start making arrangements now. [ ooc; This IC invitation ties in with the January plot! Further event information is in the calendar, including when to expect an OOC info post. As stated, Rey and Wei Wuxian do not have more information currently about New Oslo, so feel free to have your characters search more about that up on the questions part of the OOC post. ]
01 January 2020 @ 07:13 pm
Greetings, fellow Displaced. I'm Trevor Belmont, and I have a slightly different type of inquiry than the sort I've been seeing 'posted' on here so far.
I haven't found a library or similar resource, and am struggling with learning relevant information using the network alone. Not facts about our situation, but about this strange future we've found ourselves in. Most people here seem to be from far further along than I am, enough to work the facilities and use a very different vocabulary to mine... I suppose I'm wondering if anyone has the time and inclination to be a tutor, of sorts? Just to explain some of this technology and catch me up on relevant terms and events from the past millennium or so, hopefully enough that I can stop turning every conversation I have into a game of a thousand questions. Folks have been fairly understanding, but it's not ideal.
My only request is that anyone who responds not treat me as a fool or a child. I'm fresh out of the past, not a crib.
I've no way to pay you, yet, but hopefully we can work something out. And I do thank you in advance for your consideration.
30 December 2019 @ 10:24 pm
( text, at least, obscures some of the discomfort he has at the idea of postin' like this. he ain't quite sold on the whole thing, but... better than nothin', an' he ought to make himself known on account'a the medic work anyhow. )I hope this message finds y'all well.
My name is Eugene Hicks. I'm a veterinarian by trade, but I was a medic with a paratrooper infantry division in what those from Earth may know as the Second World War. Whatever gives us the source of our powers has seen fit to grant me some small healing ability also.
I've heard that medical personnel are in short supply, so please don't hesitate to seek me out should there be a need. I'm in residence at the safe house for the time being. I don't hardly care if we disagree on all things great or small or if you think it's a bother, it ain't.
Also, if anyone knows a decent pizza joint hereabouts, I'd appreciate being directed to it. Does the future have Coca-Cola perchance?
Thank you very sincerely for your time,
-EPH.
26 December 2019 @ 10:06 pm
I'm aware this is a stupid ass question so please can we not make fun but I've never had this much free time before and it's weird as hell so: What do you guys actually do with your day? Feel like all I do is sit around thinking about shit and it's getting boring and way too introspective for my liking. Before you hop in with pointless suggestions: YES I took a tour of the city (it sucked) and YES I have been to at least one bar (it ruled)
I guess this is also a cyber Craigslist post to say that if you have something that needs doing and you don't wanna do it I can do it for you. I will do your laundry, I will stoop that low. But if you are a serial killer I will know and I will separate your head from your shoulders before you can even think about murdering me and carving the meat off of my bones for your dark purposes
- Do contact me with unsolicited services or offers
- Please I'm begging you
- Just give me something to do
24 December 2019 @ 07:06 pm
For those of you I haven't introduced myself to yet, my name is Dr. Stephen Strange.
The more recently arrived may not know but thanks to the generosity of Morningstar we own two buildings in New Amsterdam: one is the garage above the current safehouse and the other is a bar under the sports stadium in the city.
The latter we intend to open soon as Red Wings, a working sports bar, with a view to ensuring financial independence and security for us as a group going forward. It's been in the works for a while, will operate under the management of myself and [Bad username or site: clarke @ griffin], and we're looking for a staff.
We'll need bar staff and security for busier periods. We're aiming to create as much opportunity as possible, so if you're interested don't hold back on letting us know. There's no application, no bar work experience necessary, we'll just need to speak with you to figure out suitability and availability. If you're interested in a security position I need to stress that power use is absolutely out of bounds, so experience will be a little more important here.
If any of the more financially established of you can volunteer time or resources while we get this off the ground, that will also be appreciated. Any of you with significant Cooltalk followings, I'd like to talk about collaborating to help us hit the ground running.
Any questions, interest checks, etc, you can get in touch with me here or with Clarke or myself personally via direct message.
23 December 2019 @ 10:06 pm
I want to talk about Riverstone, among other things, as they relate to us being here, as Displaced. My apologies over the length.
I think this company has its hand in the pot here, in New Amsterdam, far more than it lets on. This will tie into the other major corporations in the city, which I will briefly expound on for the newer arrivals.
Giles Bell: biomedical advancements and wetware surgeries
Pulsar: space exploration and expansion
Vyonation: technology and data security
Riverstone is another giant corporation, though it is based out of New Beijing. It has offices here in New Amsterdam, and it works with the three major corporations present. All of them are deeply intertwined and connected, far more than they let on. Just assume corruption on every level, it is easier.
I know many of us were preoccupied in New Beijing with a certain AI, but I spent my time elsewhere. They are known as a media company, but their influence is everywhere - you cannot go far in New Beijing without Riverstone's hand at play. Their initial foundation was based around being an entertainment company that bankrolled robotics and artificial intelligence, but their goals were moreso to find a way to counteract AIs. They had no interest in living alongside AIs, so much as wanting to use them for human advancement.
The Ling family has had control of this company for over 500 years. They work primarily in entertainment on the front side, but they have their hands in many pockets including: a rival car company to Pulsar's, neural implants and cyberkinetics, and they have invested in biological and environmental sciences.
Here is where there is an important tangent.
There were a series of earthquakes in September 2510, half a year before the first of the Displaced were dropped off in New Amsterdam in June 2511. September of 2510 saw massive power outages, and at first it seemed to be located in cities such as New Amsterdam, New Oslo, and New Venice - but these earthquakes hit on a more global scale, and given the scattered locations, I do not think a natural occurrence is the most likely explanation. Several cities were better prepared, some were completely surprised and suffered for it. There was no warning for this earthquake, no natural signs of build up. The reported epicenter is off the coast of state of Washington, in the former North America - which is a different continent from where we all live now. A facility 100 miles east of New Omsk first reported the seismic activity, but a month later it was closed. New Omsk is roughly 3000 miles east from New Amsterdam, between here and New Beijing. Further details about this entire mystery quake are vague, details missing. The reports have gone unquestioned.
The curious part about this comes from Riverstone. It seems they were prepared for an outage, halting projects in preparation. They were given no explanation except to prepare for spotty services. Someone in this company knew what was happening. I discovered this while in New Beijing, but I am still looking into the nature of what kind of projects.
From [Bad username or site: ren @ amamiya], we have Project Spinetail. They existed in the Marianas Trench, a location in the Pacific Ocean which is off the coast of New Beijing and New Tokyo. [ give him a break, he's not from earth! maybe others aren't either and need all this geography stuff noted! ] They were working there in September 2510, but the project was halted. Further details are unclear.
September 2510 is a significant date. I have reason to believe we, as the Displaced, may have already been on this planet at that time, and the reason involves a deeply invasive spinal surgery wrapped up in heavy power outages. Given the success and competence of the medi-units - which can literally bring someone back from the brink of death - a spinal surgery of this nature would likely have only been completed as a result of power loss to a medi-unit. This is something we saw when Cassius set forth the EMP and disrupted New Amsterdam exponentially. People in medi-units at this time died or were further damaged. The spine was entirely replaced by cyberkinetics, a field both Giles Bell and Riverstone have their hands in. Through El I have discovered the spine came first before the neural implant, which is not standard to this world, and that it was likely meant to be hidden. I believe this surgery was necessary due to the massive outages from the September 2510 quakes, as there have been no other significant outages that line up with this spine's existence. The cyberkinetics were not known at the time of arrival, their existence was later confirmed by [Bad username or site: jyn @ erso] after seeking unrelated medical attention.
This is a blanket statement that I will not talk about my sources and risk losing any of them. My investigations here are ongoing. You do not have to believe me, skepticism is healthy, but I am going to put what I have found out there regardless. I am sure we all have our own interests. It would be smart to pool them.
Related to corporate politics and the upcoming election, it seems there are several names that come up quite often in connection to Jovavich - the head of R&D at Pulsar and one of three running for governor of New Amsterdam. Mariana, Larkin, Johann, and Soto. See the notes from [Bad username or site: jyn @ erso] below. Johann is our biggest mystery of the four.
As a final aside, I have reports that Giles Bell is soon releasing a new drug trial after receiving a large subsidy from the UN. It supposedly comes with health risks and hazy research. I am not sure if we have anyone left who still works for Giles Bell, but it might be something to look into - especially given the state we tend to arrive in as Displaced.
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