Horseshoe 2: Orange Team meet(ing) and mingle

[mtsilver_conquor]

Who: Orange Team (+ anyone else?)
Where: Dining Car (top level)
When: Horseshoe 2, morningish.
What: Orange Team meet(ing) and mingle
Warnings: None?


Either Eva or Curufin, or they both use the ICP to remind Orange Team of the meeting. "Orange Team, please report to the upper Dining Car for a Team Meeting. It isn't mandatory, but we do encourage everyone to attend. If you need a bribe: we have snacks."

For this meeting, Eva's commandeered the top of the dining carriage. Is it the best or the ideal location? no, not at all. Yet given the number of people in the team, it'll have to do.

Food-wise, there's there's enough honeycakes (thank you, Nerdanel) for anyone who wants one, along with far too many try fifty oran berries across numerous bowls. They taste something like oranges, but not nearly as big. There's also three bags of sweets and lollies spread across several bowls, too. There's also room for any other food, of course.

There's also a few stacks of paper that, outside the few Welcome Guides Eva's brought along just in case, seem to be a survey of some kind, and every Orange Team member will, at some point, be offered one by either Eva or Curufin.

(OOC: Edit: Survey is here!. Otherwise, threadjacking is encouraged. There will be a top-level for the Leaders, but otherwise, go wild, mingle, and bring up topics you think need to be covered and have fun!)

Comments

The Leaders: Eva and Curufin (feel free to specify either or both.)

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Thanks for coming, especially when this wasn't mandatory; we intend this to be both a meeting and meet-greet-mingle. For those who don't know us, I'm Eva Iden'no and this is Curufin Fëanorion." Eva offers a smile and short bow. "We don't have agenda as such, but before we get started with any topics you want to bring up, I'd like to say a few words. Most of us here were on Jema’grethy Island. If you came out of it with any kind of bond, it's important myself and Curufin-san know." She holds her hand up to forestall any protests.

"We don't need to specifics and you do not have to be open about it, but we, your Team Leaders, do need to know, if only because we don't know what effects these'll have on missions. I myself have a bond. It's light, but it's there."


She steps back and Curufin steps up to add his two cents’ worth: “Hi, everybody! Eva thanked you all for coming, and now I’ll thank you as well. Thanks to Orange Team members who have been on recent missions with us. It’s been wonderful working with you, and I’ve felt honored to do so. You all are so very competent. As for new Orange Team members, I welcome you to the team! I’m sure you have skills that will be valuable to the team. And I’m sure we’ll soon integrate old and new members and make the team as effective as always, or more so.

By the way, for new people, I was going to say that if you still have questions about Team Orange or the Voidtrecker Express that have not yet been answered, feel free to ask me or Eva.

And as Eva says, enjoy the refreshments!"

[ohaiyo_isekai]

"Consider me duly bribed," Hikaru says brightly, taking nibbles - heavy on non-Bear Loaf protein and sweets.

"I have two main questions - the larger questions about missions and the nature of the Void can wait. Is the train sapient, and how do we regain... for lack of a better term, mystical energies, while we sleep here?"

CW: spider monster, threadjacking okay for Curufin

[kumoko]

Showing up was a terrible idea and she regrets everything, but she'd been so excited about the team meeting (and the snacks) that she'd...

Kind of forgotten??

That she looks different now??

Whoops!

It takes a while for the spider arachne to approach Eva, mostly because the concept of looking at all of these people with normal eyes is... intimidating. Look, it's been a few months since everyone's faces have swum menacingly like this, okay? She thought she was over it! This corner is just really comfortable and these snacks are delicious now she has a tongue! But eventually she skitters over, clambering over a bare stretch of table to approach Eva and Curufin.

"I--" she starts, before her throat closes up. Crap! Out of habit, two of her spider legs pull out her tablet, and finish the sentence. "Bonded with Noct.."

What else. Oh.

"It's me, Ede."

In case there were... two giant spiders...

Whatever, she's said her thing! GGWP!

Open to both! Directed towards Eva

[iamnotgod]

"Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I do not appear to have gained a 'bond' on the island," Webmind replies.

"Though, I do wonder why those without bonds are a minority on the train; going strictly off of the amount of people present on the mountain, I should think more than half of the current population of the train experienced visions, if not necessarily lasting bonds."

The history books he'd ordered on the island hadn't mentioned anything about the place's spiritual effects, can you tell?

[sizedoesntmatter]

Yugi for the most part seemed to be keeping quiet and looking up from his notebook every now and again. He had his reasons and in part, he figured writing down through and ideas were always a good idea.

Soon he found himself raising his hand for a brief moment, there was at least one thing on his mind that he quite honestly needed to ask.

"Considering the type of things that Orange Team does, this brings about a question of groups with a certain purpose. Will people have an assigned role or a specific job during missions? For those who cannot fight will they be assigned to do something more in the background?"

He figured it was a good question to ask.

[blue_ice]

"Eva, as I've mentioned to you before, I'm bonded to a member of purple. The only effects seem to be slight spatial awareness and an occasional burst of foreign emotion, resulting in a minor headache, but it's not debilitating in any way. But it may be useful to get an idea of where the teams are in relation to each other on missions."

That's all Kaiba has to say about that part. He nods to the two of them and steps back.

Re: The Leaders: Eva and Curufin (either or both.)

[laurefindil]

Just a Purple, passing by! (Either or both is fine)

Glorfindel popped his head in and looked around for Eva and Curufin.

"Hello," he said, "I hope you don't mind me crashing your party for a moment."

"Here." He hands over one of the Arms Bands from Roland's world. One of the three he'd purchased recently. "This is for whomever you choose as the Orange Quartermaster. I have heard from ours, Cassie Cage, that her mother was interested in the position, but that is not my call to make, so I thought I'd give this to the Team Leads in the meantime."

"It holds three melee weapons, one ranged weapon with unlimited ammo refills, and unlimited other supplies as long as you know what is in there. Very handy for storing and dispersing supplies on a mission."

Open to either!

[fun_thementalist]

Gen listened and observed, mostly, looking patient and thoughtful as many people asked their questions. Finally, though, he raised his hand.

"Ah, thank you, I'm still learning about everything, and I admit I'm a little nervous," Gen said, wearing a meek mask. "Are side effects from these stops the train makes such as ... bonds ... very common?"

Eva | OTA

[mtsilver_conquor]

General
Eva's pretty sure by the time any planning/etc is done, she's going to either have a headache, or have talked herself into croaking. Or both. Either way, it's a very good distraction from the Realities of the train, thank you very much.

That said, when she's not Doing Leadery Things or Socializing, she can be found nursing a mug of some very spicy juice (cheri and pinap berries), a distant look to her eyes.

There's much going on in her mind and she doesn't like being idle. Not right now. Not when she's got far too many feelings of helplessness and selfishness and a desire to not lose any more of her friends or found family.

Yet, somehow, she still manages to offer a smile if someone comes up to her. "Hey, what's up?"


Pokemon
Naturally, at some point, her pokemon are going to come up, though rather than take up valuable space by having them out, Eva's dropped her pokebelt and the attached tennisball-sized 'balls (pokeball, premierball, and levelball) onto the table, and Roro is hovering by her shoulder, cycling through three different pictures*.

"If you're curious and haven't met them properly, I can bring one of them out. Well as long as there's a clear space."

(*The red one)

[lafemmejulie]

[ Juliette approaches, and gives a small half-bow, offering a cup. ]

Mademoiselle Eva, as a performer, believe me that I understand certain needs. And with all the talking you are doing, you need to wet your throat from time to time... ah, but I missed your cup. Still, should you like, this bit of water with a bit of lemon in it is one I find quite helpful when my throat is a bit raw.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin approaches Eva. "Just wondering how you are doing? You've been looking kind of worried lately."

Pokemon

[singerofspells]

"If you don't mind," S'reee said. "If only to introduce myself, since they should be able to understand me."

General, if you want to do this here, or we can move this to Nerdanel's log

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel touches her elbow gently, eyes fond.

"You look so tired, my dear. Will you not rest a while?"

ronan | ota

[aluciner]

1. i have never known hunger

Ronan is, for once, by himself. He explicitly left Chainsaw in the garden car, doing whatever the hell it is she does when he leaves her alone, because this meeting was going to be chaotic enough without her begging for snacks from anyone who would listen. Instead, when he arrives, he sets down a dutch oven filled with nettle soup. For anyone who's particularly familiar with the cookware in the kitchen, the dutch oven Ronan sets down isn't anything from the kitchen. It's a pleasant cream color with a forest design along the sides. He also sets down a loaf of Irish soda bread, because if he's going to be stereotypical about his potluck offerings he might as well go all the way.

2. after the raven has had his say

"So," he says casually, once there's a lull in the conversation, "who's going to tell the train we can't keep having meat as the main ingredient when that leaves a bunch of people scavenging the pantry for things they can actually eat."

It's not a huge problem for Ronan personally, but he thinks it's probably easier to add meat into dishes than work around the dishes being meat. He's only been here three different months, and 2 out of those 3 months have been meat which seems unfortunate. The shit this month can barely be considered food in the first place, in Ronan's opinion, so that's doubly awful.

"I'm not saying we should all go vegan, but I am saying having a vegetarian option would be nice."

3. i have never known sleep

Later, when the meeting is winding down, Ronan makes an off-hand announcement. If he thought about this more, he would have made a flyer or something. Maybe it's better that he didn't. Extending the offer is the right thing to do, but he doesn't know whether or not he can necesscarily keep up with demand.

"Oh, by the way: if anyone ever needs anything and you don't have enough points or whatever, I can get most things. Terms and conditions apply, find me later if you want to know more."

If you catch him before the meeting truly ends, he will explain what he's offering a little bit more. He will not, however, say anything more specific than that he can "get" items that characters might want.

[ooc: Will match format! Feel free to request items without tagging in here too.]

3

[mtsilver_conquor]

"-You can?"

Colour her interested. On one hand, it'd be useful - very useful, more so if he could replicate Max Revives and or Lucky Eggs. On the other... She's been on the train long enough to know this is- "Through magic, right?"

Emporio Alniño | BrandNewOrange, OTA!

[seacub]

[[OOC - Spoiler opt-in/opt-out is here!]]

Emporio is ultimately new to the train. It's actually entirely a thing of fortune that he even catches the announcement for the team meeting- though it helps that he shares the cabin with another orange. Tugging at his orange sweater after he gets dressed for the day, he supposes that it's as good a way as any to sort out what's going to be happening from here on out.

More than what he's already been told, at least.

So.

A boy of eleven stands in a room, not too far from the entrance, just past the stairway exit at the top. Stands, perhaps a bit awkwardly, adjusting an oversized black cap with some mild anxiety as he sorts out what he should really be doing.

Berries are, at least, a good eventual distraction- same as all the other food there to be enjoyed, though he ultimately doesn't take much- in fact he even seems hesitant to start, pausing at the table and looking it over as if in disbelief that it's all real. He eventually has a honeycake and an oran berry alike, visibly choking when the surprise of the latter's taste hits. It was blue though??

Cabin-mate aside though, the entire meeting is ultimately making him realize just how few people he actually knows on this train. And this is just his team. How many people must there be, with three more, even if 'Red' team was supposedly smaller? The boy is driven to silence with nervousness through most of the meeting, ultimately keeping to the side as he watches- and listens- keenly.

He might jump a bit if he's approached.

Don't worry about that though. Eventually he'll be the one to notice an approach first, greeting someone near with a small, "Oh...um. ...Hi."

People aren't really a thing he's used to in this particular number.

D

[10billionpercent]

As charismatic as Senku could be in his own way, he was naturally an introvert and if he wasn't going to be forced to socialize, he was perfectly fine not doing so. He was attending though, for information gathering purposes. He'd found himself somewhere comfortable to settle to pay attention to what was going on.

When Emporio came up to him, he looked up as though he'd been slightly lost in thought - not at all an uncommon occurrence - and he offered a bit of a smile because he was so young.

"Hey." He greeted in return, which was downright social when it came to him.

Senku Ishigami | OTA

[10billionpercent]

A. Snacks

It was clear from the selection of cakes and candy that someone has a sweet tooth. That wasn't Senku though, and he shrugged to himself, taking a lollipop but instead of opening it and putting it in his mouth, it went into his pocket for bribing a certain mentalist later.

As such, he will just walk away from the snack table empty handed. He isn't terribly bothered by this, he isn't starving or anything.

B. He really is naturally an introvert

Senku was not great at socializing. He didn't like, or even tolerate much small talk and growing up he'd been all too happy being wrapped up in a science project by himself. His friends kind of took an interest and then basically just let him do his own thing in their proximity.

He wasn't really built for things like parties and he tried to avoid them as much as he could, but things as they were he was probably expected to be there.

There was no getting around telling Eva and Curufin about the bond he had because he was bound to her.

Needless to say, Senku found a corner and sat in it, observing everyone else instead.

B

[ohaiyo_isekai]

After a moment, an exhausted-looking winged potato bug sits in a stool next to him, in what he hopes is a companionable silence.

He closes his eyes, puts his fingertips together while splaying the fingers into a star, and starts to breathe deeply.

Meditation?

Nita OTA (Conversation Starter)

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita had arrived 'on-time' - meaning early, of course. Apart from her Manual, she'd brought no book for once, so if anyone, Leader or otherwise, fancied a chat they could very much catch one.

At some point, fighting off awkwardness, she made motion to gather everyone's attention.

"If we're going to work together, it'd be best to know what we've dealt with on our own before, wouldn't it? Both on missions, and back home. So, to that effect - what would you say is the strangest thing you've lived through before coming here, and has anything about life on the train managed to top that so far?"

She sat back down after that; if people wanted her example, they were free to ask.

((If people want a Webmind instead of a Nita, just ask in your tag's comment header!))

[dreamtamer]

"I guess that would be the D-Reaper. But it isn't a very fun story, and I really hope that nothing that happens on the train will be worse than that."

[blue_ice]

Kaiba, for once, had foregone his cool and stylish clothes for the orange uniform. Almost every moment he wore it, he could hear the word 'carrot' bouncing around in his head with a hint of laughter. Thanks, Jonouchi. But he was still an ex-CEO and capable of drawing attention, so he lifted his head and stepped forward.

"For those of you I've yet to meet, I'm Seto Kaiba. I want to talk about mission preparedness."

He surveyed the room and took a deep breath.

"We still don't know why the train assigns us the teams that it does, but we've received some clues. Orange is typically assigned intel-gathering, so our missions tend to involve some combination of exploration and investigation or technical work: typically program analysis or system repair. Unfortunately, as we've learned, they may also involve combat, and we have a higher proportion of non-combatants than other teams, myself included. I've trained in Krav Maga, but that's only going to be effective at close range against something roughly human-sized."

And then he stood back, a thin smile on his face. "I've set up a basic programming language and computer logic course on my laptop that anyone is welcome to take, because I feel that skill is important to share. Finally, if you have any interest in sharpening you analytical skills with strategy games, we have a large selection in the gaming car. You'll find me there most evenings."

There. Done. He returned to his seat, looking a little drained. Social hour was rough.

[iamnotgod]

"I can also reproduce the course in or on other materials, if more than one person wishes to take it at the same time - with your permission, of course," Webmind said, nodding to Kaiba.

"And I would be interested in running one of those strategy games with you, as well."

Takato Matsuda | OTA

[dreamtamer]

It was a little intimidating, going to a meeting with a bunch of teammates you'd never met before. But at least Guilmon was with him now.

Takato hangs in the back of the group as the leaders speak, and then gets pulled over to the food table by Guilmon, who immediately starts pointing at the different foods on the table and asking Takato to explain what they were.

Takato laughs a little fondly at his friend, then pulls him away from the table and hands him a few honey cakes.

"Why don't you try these first, boy? I don't know anything about the berries or the fruit?"

/yeets self at

[mtsilver_conquor]

"Oran berry-fruits; from my world. They're safe for everyone," said as she pops one into her mouth with a grin. "Including pokemon-?"

...? It's not like any pokemon she's ever seen and her hands itch to pull out her 'dex and record a picture.

[lafemmejulie]

Juliette comes in a little late, her hair slightly damp and hanging out of its tail.

"Pardon, I was taking care of ablutions when the message came." She takes a honeycake, then looks for a place to settle down, watching the room, smiling but keeping an eye out for anyone to talk to. The only unusual thing is that she still has her rucksack, but it's only got two things in it, and the only obvious part is the violin bow sticking out of the top.

[everylittlesecret]

"... don't think I've ever heard anyone call getting washed up ablutions since I hung out with a gal who was literally from old school Salem."

But that's not why Nari sat down near this woman. Something has drawn her attention. "String player? What instrument? I'm a violist and pianist myself."

[so_dark_a_road]

Handing out surveys:

Curufin is standing near the door and handing out printed copies of the new Orange Team Survey. He greets everyone with a smile and rattles the pages humorously.

"These surveys are optional, but if you choose to take one, I'd like to request that those who have filled out the old Team Orange Survey fill out this one, too. We've changed some of the questions."


Snack table:

This Elf is hungry! He's sampling whatever there is and enjoying it. He looks up and offers a honeycake to whomever is standing near him. "These are really good! My mother Nerdanel baked them."

Snack Table

[fun_thementalist]

There are sweets on offer, so once the survey has been filled out, Gen made a beeline right to the honey cakes.

"Thank you ever so much for offering!" Gen cheerfully took one. "They smell delicious, your mother must have been a talented baker."

Dyme Graydon | OTA

[swansongs]

Dyme hadn't been too interested in attending the meeting, honestly, because meetings were boring in his experience, but then snacks had been mentioned. If there was anything he was a sucker for, it was snacks.

He was only mildly interested in whatever important things were being discussed as he sidled up to the snacks table, listening vaguely while he picked up an oran berry, turning it over and over in his hands before sniffing it and then taking a cautious bite. It was nothing like he'd been expecting, but he nodded to himself all the same, taking another bite.

Even as he was eating the berry though, he was already eyeing the honeycakes. They looked good, but he already had a snack in hand and he didn't want to fill both hands, and patience was a dilemma. Humming to himself, he reached for a cake anyway. He was nearly done with the berry, so why not.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel solves his problem by putting one of the cakes on a serviette and passing it to him.

"Go on." Her eyes laugh. "I can see you eyeing it!"

Silvia Leafe | OTA ] (Newb Alert)

[storms_eye]

I. Arriving at the Meeting

Well- everyone had been nice so far, but Silvia still didn't feel all that comfortable with anything that was happening, and there wasn't really anyone that she'd super hit it off with that she could lean on for support- heck she hadn't even spoken to her roommates since somehow they kept missing each other. So- when she received the message she debated not going at all because it was just another opportunity to feel outnumbered and like an isle unto herself.

Whether she liked it or not she was going to need to know more about why they were even divided into teams at all, so after much deliberation back and forth with herself, she ended up in the dining car. Too nervous to even think about the snacks, she just... found a seat to watch and observe from wishing she had a cell phone with her so she could at least play some games as a mild distraction.

II. Reading over the Welcome guide and survey

No privacy at all.

Silvia twitched a little at that line. Maybe it wasn't too late to throw herself from a moving locomotive? Realistically, she knew she wouldn't attempt it, nor should she but she couldn't help thinking it. The more she read the more her apprehension seemed to grow, as if she needed it to! Don't do this, don't do that- something about a council, and she was just supposed to trust these random people with vital details?

It was about at this point that she randomly pushed herself away from her table, and moved with purpose towards the stairs. At least she kept a copy of both items but she hadn't so much as filled in her name on the survey. Maybe she would later.

arriving

[marriedanidiot]

"Hello."

Nerdanel smiles at her.

"I do not think we've met you before - did you just arrive? I am Nerdanel, well met! Would you like something to eat?"

Zelda | OTA

[wisdominshadows]

The Offering

"There is something I can add to our arsenal," Zelda says during the meeting, and opens her hands.

The Deku nuts, half open and waiting to be used, sit silently for now.

"Some months ago, I requested a certain plant from my home. The plant itself is somewhat dangerous if one ventures too close, but its seeds have valuable properties. When treated correctly, they can stun any creature they make contact with.

"I've made use of them before, and I think they could be invaluable to many on the train. Particularly those with few methods of defending themselves."

The Survey

It's with a sinking heart that she reads the survey- another one? More specific, even?

It's easy to see why the leaders want this information; from their perspective, she can grasp the rationale easily enough. And yet....

And yet. Secrets lie upon her shoulders and powers ancient and terrible rest within her defense. They're not the sort which should rest on any paper, not something out of her control. Which wouldn't even disappear if she did.

So at the end, when she has the chance, she returns the survey unfilled.

"This isn't fair," Is her response if pressed. "We all have our histories and our obligations, and I gave the information I could give easily to Tony Stark already; you cannot ask us for more than we can fulfill and expect us to blithely comply. Particularly not when that information could linger long after we leave the train."

Offering

[marriedanidiot]

"What is it?" Nerdanel leans forwards, careful not to get too close.

"And what does it do?"

Nerdanel | OTA

[marriedanidiot]

She slips in quietly at the beginning with trays full of the honeycakes that her children and assorted nieces and nephews were once so fond of. For the most part, she'll sit quietly, smiling at those she knows, and learning the faces of those she does not.

As the trays empty, she'll slip out, and return with more. Eat up! She made plenty.

Re: Nerdanel | OTA

[ohaiyo_isekai]

He takes one appreciatively, than, a few bites in, notes:

"These would go well with masala chai." He considers this. "I could brew some, and show you."