[ open ] Welcome to Chile, Cadets.

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Characters: ALL.
Location: Valparaíso Shatterdome, Chile.
Date/Time: February 15th-28th.
Summary: The first shipment of recruits into the new Jaeger Academy program arrive. Some are staggered throughout the month, but they all have the same basic greeting. Here you are, there's where you sleep, here's what you wear, get going.
Additional Notes: See here for additional information. For information on the current weather, check out this link.

The Shatterdome didn't look futuristic, swatches of metal and concrete transforming a portion of the harbor into five enormous bays. Nevermind that only two were currently in use. The stark greys stand out against the colorful face of the city, a hulking monolith that's been carved into the face of the city that had once upon a century been termed the Jewel of the Pacific.

Note: Players are welcome to start their own interactions outside of the three main prompted scenarios. Go wild!

Comments

Mess Hall | you know you want to chat over dinner come on guys

[counterattacked]

At the end of their first day, the cadets are treated to their first of many mess hall meals. And even if the fare itself probably isn't anything special, the atmosphere, at least, seems to be promising. A tense sort of energy in the air that comes with being at the start of something huge and new. It's a good chance to sit back and take in everything that's happened. And everything that's going to come.

At least, it is where one Eren Jaeger is concerned. He spends most of his time bent over his tray and talking animatedly to a twiggy blond or a pretty girl, or both. Or neither, in the spaces between the comings and goings where he happens to end up alone for a while. Either way, there's an empty space at the table across from him. More than enough room for someone else to sit, if they wanted. No sense eating alone, right?

((A/N:Dinner party? If you're cool with threadcrashing by Armin and/or Mikasa (or drag in a guest of your own?) we can get us a group thread going for get-to-know-yous. Feel free to hit me with a note or a pm/pp if you want to sort out posting order or something, but I'm fine with playing fast and loose as we go. And of course, I'm down for nice easy one on one, too. Just hit me with a preference if you tag in.))

Fine with crashing, and fast and loose. Have...more Kou. You're welcome.

[spareheir]

It's a long day, starting from the bus ride and arrivals processing to the extensive tours and information on ways they could all lose life or limb if they aren't paying attention. Even a cheerful kid like Kou is a little exhausted by the time dinner rolls around. There's also the matter of where to sit, since the seating isn't assigned.

Kou finds himself glancing around for an empty spot or someone familiar, and comes up with both at once. That guy...they spoke earlier. That counts, right?

He slides into the space casually with a smile. The noodles on his tray are unfamiliar, the vegetables are soggy, and the soup (porridge?) looks questionable at best. There's an apple, though. Apples are a safe place to start. For a guy who's usually so fond of food, he's having trouble convincing his stomach that it wants to accept any of what's on the tray. So he starts conversation instead.

"It's a lot of information, isn't it?"

the more the merrier. o9 Armin'll crash in next in that case and then we can wing it

[counterattacked]

It's hard, being dropped into a bunch of new and strange people in a new and strange situation. Like the first day at a new school or something. But when Kou sits, Eren is turned toward the blonde boy beside him and chatting with him casually, like they've known each other for years. (Don't feel bad. They have. It's practically cheating.) Eren looks up when Kou joins them, and he breaks into an enthusiastic and sort of focused grin.

"Yeah, no fucking kidding," a lot of information. After waiting this long to get here, he's practically champing at the bit for more. He leans forward onto the table, "Did you get a look at the Jaegers?"

Of course he did, they all did, during the tour of the bays and the many many safety warnings that came with it. Eren couldn't resist going back for a closer look later. Because those are real live Jaegers sitting in the hangars. Humanity's greatest weapon against the kaiju.

Bonjour. also ps. apologies for the test drive, conventions happened..!

[theheretical]

Hard for the brazenly extroverted, harder still for anything less. Though throwing in with one of the former persuasion makes the experience somewhat bearable. Not that Armin is particularly inept in the socialization department, but reservation always makes branching out a bit of a chore.

It puts him next to his closest friend, ergo across from the newcomer at a slight angle, and before he can welcome the slight change in topics, Eren is dragging it back with a mention of the giant robots. Honestly, Jaeger has been just about every third word that has spilled out of his mouth when it wasn't busy inhaling its dinner.

"I'm looking at one right now," the blond shoots to his right, steeped in an equal measure of amusement and exasperation, "And it's being an insatiable fanboy."

Never one to be rude, he's just as quick to address the other speaker. "It's a great deal to take in, but it's been nothing short of fascinating."

no worries!

[spareheir]

Kou doesn't get the joke, of course, so he just smiles politely in response. These others seem to be so invested in the program already that he's not sure what to say. He's pleased he got accepted, that he can do something that might make his family proud... but he's barely cracked the cadet handbook yet. They just got here.

"Yes. They're enormous. It's like a mecha anime come to life, isn't it?" He agrees with the dark haired boy. They've all seen these mecha on television of course, but it's nothing like seeing them in the same building. They're the size of a building. It's definitely impressive.

The smaller boy almost looks familiar, now that he speaks. Maybe Kou has seen him around as well, though he doesn't recall specifics. They've all been marched around together as a group all day anyway, it would be weird if they didn't at least seem vaguely familiar to one another by now. Insatiable isn't a word he's familiar with, so it takes him a moment longer to decide that it wasn't directed at him anyway, so it can be overlooked.

"It's true. Not everyone is lucky enough to see inside a shaterdome."

Actually, it isn't the only shatterdome Kou has been inside, but he's not ready to volunteer that information just yet. First he takes a bite of the apple and mulls it over.

[counterattacked]

In Kou's defense, Eren's level of investment probably isn't remotely normal. Or advisable. Or...healthy. It also means his attention has been running all day with such intense concentration on the other Jaegers in the building that it takes him a few seconds to twig to the joke at his expense. When he does, his expression creases into an indignant scowl in Armin's direction. Wow, hey!! Fuck you Armin, that's rude. You're rude. He knocks shoulders with the smartass in question to express his (not entirely serious) displeasure. He's feeling too damn excited about being here to let much of anything bother him very long. For now, anyway.

But it does, if nothing else, derail his enthusiasm enough to remind him of what manners he's managed to retain over the years.

"Eren Jaeger," He supplies to Kou with a nod. To explain the joke, and because he can't actually remember if he'd introduced himself before. In his defense, they'd had to absorb a whole lot information since then, so it can't hurt to repeat, anyway. He tips his head toward the cadet beside him and finishes the job. "This is Armin Arlert. We grew up together."

[spareheir]

Something twinges in Kou's chest at that introduction. His best friend had tried out as well, but if they'd chosen Daisuke, he must have been sent somewhere else somehow. Or maybe the big oaf had failed the intelligence tests. Either way, for a moment he feels homesick and out of sorts. There's no one seated beside him to trade friendly insults with.

He tries to shake it of, not wanting to be rude. Jaeger is a name he'd pretty sure he'd remember if they'd traded them earlier, so they must not have. The otherboy's name rings a bell simply because it had been called out first every time they were ticked off a new list that day. Kou nods at them both, bobs in a funny way that's probably a lazy, habitual bow, and returns the favor.

"Ichijo Kou. Ah, sorry. It's Kou Ichijo." He laughs at himself, and the absurdity of getting his own name wrong in this upside down part of the world.

Crash away

[boomerangarrow]

The atmosphere in this place is certainly something. It's strange to Kate, who's used to fancy parties and an oblivious air to what was happening in the world. She can say, however, she much prefers this. Time with people who understand what they're here for and want to make a difference.

Once she spots an open seat, she takes it. She doesn't really pay much attention to the people who are already there, but she is at least courteous enough to offer her name. "Kate Bishop." Might as well start making friends, hers aren't anywhere close to the Shatterdome.

partycrasher incoming soonish. feel free to mess with tagging order as it strikes you

[counterattacked]

Considering the amount of elbows-on-table going on, fancy party this sure ain't. But it's all a matter of perspective—in some ways this is more exclusive than the highest of high society. Besides, fancy parties are overrated when humanity is at stake, and at least most of the people here understand that. The young woman that takes the seat across from him is maybe a few years older than Eren and his friends, clearly one of the new cadets. With a personality that can suddenly swing about as far from "sparkling" as you can get, making friends has never been one of Eren's strong suits. But he's not actually a bad guy when he isn't being difficult, and he's been in an exceptionally good mood all day. So, in return—

"Eren Jaeger," That part's easy enough. He nods to the other cadet sitting at his elbow. (The pretty girl that had been sitting at his other side has wandered off for the time being, but she'll be back before long. She always is.) "This is Armin. You came in with the rest of us today, right?"

[boomerangarrow]

Hell, Kate feels about ten times more comfortable in the Shatterdome than she ever did back home. Fancy parties were never her strong suit. She'd take a shooting range over that nonsense any day. The people here were united against the threat that's trying to take over the world. She's far better company here in her personal opinion. Which is of course, the only one that matters to her.

She nods at them both. She'd ask how old these kids are, but it doesn't really matter. They signed themselves up, so they must know what they were getting into. Kate's not exactly the type to go berating stranger's life choices. "Yeah, that's right. I saw you during the arrivals. How're you guys settling in?"

1/2!

[counterattacked]

They're definitely among the youngest of the new crop of recruits, but ask him and he'll say sixteen is plenty old enough to know what they're getting into. (Hell, if nothing else, they know what it is they're getting into better than a lot of people. What it is they're fighting.) It was hard enough waiting this long. Eren would have enlisted as soon as possible, but they needed to wait for the Shatterdome to open up and prepare to take in the recruits. But they're here now. It'll be worth it. He sets his jaw before he answers.

"We're fine. We've been waiting for this a long time," and it's partly bravado and partly earnest conviction. "Once we get started the kaiju won't stand a chance."

2/2!

[prioritized]

“If they decide to make us pilots in the first place.” Another voice speaks up from behind Eren as Mikasa wanders back within earshot. Never one to wander too far away, she was drawn back by the new face sitting across from Eren and Armin, though she doesn't offer much in the way of a greeting as she takes her seat once again. Mikasa's not the best about first impressions.

She picks up her fork, picking at the food on her plate, “We have a long way to go before that.”

[boomerangarrow]

Kate's thoughts on Mikasa are wow what a dampener. But the girl's not wrong about that. Her face twists into a determined glare. She's made it this far, there's no way she's going back now.

"Then obviously we'll just have to prove we've got what it takes." Whatever the higher ups want her to do, she'll do. Just as long as she's allowed to fight. Kate worked for her place in the shatterdome and there's no way she's letting the chance to fight the kaiju slip through her fingers. She'll work damn hard for her spot.

what d'you think of a food fight wouldn't that be fun. [any crashing is good crashing.]

[overeducated]

"If you were given the option of pink or sky blue, which would you take?"

Sorry, that's a strange question to ask should've been tacked on afterward, but it wasn't--- instead, a tall, lanky man sat himself opposite the black-haired boy, a mug brimming with steaming brown liquid cradled in both hands, elbows splayed on the table to either side.

Over an unbuttoned, rumpled lab coat and very straight black bowtie, fairly intense hazel eyes focused on the other's, whatever he might have been interrupting wholly disregarded. No sense being alone, right?

You'll get the Full Shiganshina Experience soon enough IF JESSA WOULD EVER GET HOME...

[counterattacked]

That is a very strange question to ask, you should be sorry. And since the this isn't a tense moment involving traitors and sabotage and dead titans because titans don't exist in this alternate universe, it's met with a puzzled stare and a furrowed brow, but little else.

"What?" Yes, Eren. That's helpful. Didn't they get the "favorite color" type questions out of the way during screening already? He frowns deeply over the remains of his dinner, gives the labcoat a curious look, as if he's trying to decide if this guy is a superior officer or a scientist or— "Who are you?"

Blunt. A little more blunt than he should probably have risked, but it's been one day—it'll take far more than that before he's a shining example of military decorum. Sometimes nature overrules even the most enthusiastic of recruits.

goddd Jessa what the heeeeckkk what a bum

[overeducated]

Far more blunt than he should've risked, but luckily for the cadet, this man responds by scowling more to himself than at the other, fingers tapping out a fast-paced beat on his Styrofoam tea cup.

"Someone very sick of all the white, but without many choices of dye." It hadn't even been a day since arrival. Nonetheless, voice non-pulsed and even more unhurried, gaze at last shifting off to the side, brows furrowing. "Sky blue wouldn't go well with my hair, would it? That'd be a good point to bring up-- would you agree, cadet? I've always been more a fan of navy, or at least something deeper..."

Yeah, that certainly helped his image. They were both clearly making the best decisions.

Gosh rude! I was away on important business

[prioritized]

Meanwhile, a knee under the table knocks into Eren's leg and Mikasa shoots him a look. Be polite. Even if she wasn't the most enthusiastic about Eren and Armin (and by extension, Mikasa) joining the military, now that they're here, there's no sense in Eren getting in trouble right off of the bat.

"Sir," She corrects Eren's lack of courtesy, though the look she gives the man is skeptical at best- her mouth turned down and dark eyes too intense for such a lighthearted line of questioning, "What does it matter what color it is...?" Despite her warning to Eren, she's not any better at being friendly.

girls you're all pretty.

[theheretical]

You can't blame Armin for any of this, he's just as much an extension of Eren as she is.

But honestly, these two... How difficult is it to answer superiors without question? Even if the man across from them isn't in charge of them, they're on the lowest rung out of anyone in the building. Respect up the ladder, no matter the stretch.

It's a perplexing question, to be fair, but in light of the other two's lack of cooperation, Armin gives it the consideration it deserves.

"If you're limited to those, pink would probably contrast better with the prominent cool colors of the facility, sir." The boy is about as far a cry as can be from fashion expert or interior designer, but it seems like the proper choice if it's the other's desire to pop. And this seems like the type of gentleman who desires to pop, given the fact he's considering altering his garb to begin with.

[counterattacked]

No, like most everything that lands them in hot water, this is all Eren's doing. In his defense, he'd never asked the two of them to follow him into the program. But they had anyway. And here they are.

He hisses something sharp in protest when Mikasa whacks him under the table, and he meets her glare balefully. But he gets the message, if a little late. Rangers and drill sergeants and the like are easy for him to remember to defer to. He'd looked up to them for years, they carry with them a sort of weight. Odd and spindly bowtied science types take a little bit of getting used to. Luckily, Armin seems to be handling the talking for the moment. He bites his tongue long enough to wait for an explanation that makes sense. If one is ever going to be forthcoming.

"White? You mean your coat?" Well, maybe he doesn't wait that long. The labcoat is the whitest thing on this guy. And, amending that— "Sir?"

Sorry, couldn't resist. Crashers welcome.

[inurhead]

Yancy had dozed off under his tree out in the courtyard, and woken up to find it vacated. So he's not at his most alert when he stumbles in to the dining hall. Man, it's a good thing there weren't any afternoon briefings. Pentecost would have heard about it somehow and wiped the floor with him.

He's so late to dinner that after grabbing a tray he can't even find a salt shaker that isn't in use somewhere else already. Ah, well. The cadet tables technically can't refuse if he borrows one of theirs. Besides, he kind of wants to see what they look like. These ones are so freaking young, it's a little ridiculous.

He clears his throat before he leans down at the empty space and picks up the closest set of spice shakers that isn't in anyone's hands. Then he throws a smile at the kid sitting across from them. "You mind?"

not as sorry as I am, he's so embarassing.

[counterattacked]

It's no surprise, given his generally white-knuckled sense of purpose, that Eren has followed the news of the Jaeger program with both enthusiasm and admiration from the start. So he's done a pretty good job, so far, of recognizing the public faces of the program scattered about the Shatterdome's sea of uniforms.

But it's mostly been at a distance, so far. So maybe Yancy can excuse him being a little (a lot) starstruck by the sudden presence of a flesh and blood Ranger at their table. The problem is that he'd been drinking from a bottle of water at the time, and the combination of startling upward and trying to swallow to speak too quickly manages to send him into a coughing fit, because Eren never does anything worth doing halfway.

Recovering, if not...entirely gracefully, he sits upright to salvage what's left of his first impression. "Ranger Becket! Sir," at least that part he can get right. He asked you a question, Eren. Give him a second to catch up.

lol

[inurhead]

Wow. That was sure an energetic reaction. Yancy bit back on a chuckle. He didn't want to embarrass the kid, who definitely seemed a little keyed up. Instead he nodded to acknowledge the greeting. "In the flesh. Cadet...?"

apologizes profusely for the rest of time, also 1/2

[counterattacked]

Yeah, keyed up is pretty much Eren's default state of being. He's not twitchy, exactly, but he's always been...energetic. And he's never been great at reigning himself in. All this is a big deal for him! He evens out a little, by inches, wipes the back of a hand over his mouth to hide the evidence of his sputtering.

"Jaeger, sir," he answers, when prompted. "Eren Jaeger."

I apologize too 2/2

[prioritized]

In stark contrast to Eren's fanboyish reaction, the girl sitting next to Eren is looking distinctly unimpressed. She hardly looks up from her meal when the pilot first addresses them, and it's only when Eren starts choking on his own drink that her expression shifts away from vague disinterest.

Mikasa clears her throat from her spot beside Eren, nodding toward the spice shakers in the pilot's hands. "We're not using them, Sir." Her voice is flat to the point of sounding dismissive. It's not that she doesn't respect what the Jaeger pilots have done for all of humanity, but that's just Mikasa's normal reaction to most people. And it might have something to do with her general attitude towards Eren wanting to be like this pilots and throw his life into danger.

nah it's great. and hello!

[inurhead]

"No kidding?" The name makes Yancy grin. Funny coincidence. He won't have trouble remembering that one. "Guess they couldn't refuse you."

The girl beside Cadet Jaeger doesn't seem exactly enthused, but hey, the first day kind of blows. Hell, the first few months blow. He remembers that. What gets you through it is the desire to be there, the itch to get into the cockpit. Her little friend seems to have it in spades. Either way, Yancy acknowledges her with a nod. "Thanks, Cadet."