Summer 1 - Greetings and Welcome - Action

[kollomods]

[ It's a mild sunny day when the first group of guests make land at Norrhamn. A gentle breeze rustle the birch trees and tangle in the bunting that's hung across the buildings in celebration of this very special occasion. Aina has been busy gathering up guests over the last few hours and now the ferry is approaching the port, waves breaking gently against the bow.

Olivia is waiting on the jetty, clipboard hugged close to her body. She's excited and nervous all at once, anxious to get to meet these people that she's read so much about, the faces behind the pleading letters. This is the first day her new job becomes hands on. Hopefully she'll be good at it.

As the ferry lands and lets the guests off, Olivia raises a hand in a cheerful greeting. ]

Hello! Welcome to Norrhamn!

Comments

[burntviolet]

a; arrival

[ Hanako had been sitting in a far corner of the ferry, silent and unresponsive for the whole trip, merely looking outside from the window. It was the first time she was travelling outside of Japan, but nothing about her gloomy appearance inspired eagerness for adventure. She had just left behind a world she felt she never belonged to, running away from her past. If there was a reason to be happy, she found none. That's all there is to it.

Inside the bag perched on her lap, she brought few things of importance. Clothes, a few books, and a portable chessboard. The latter was a birthday gift she refused to throw away even though it was associated to the people who had caused her grief so recently. It was the only thing related to them she had left.

Stepping out of the ferry, bag held in both hands, she takes in the scenery, purple eyes lost in the beauty of it. The female voice snaps her out of her thoughts, and a familiar sense of panic crawls up her chest, constricting her throat as she looks at the woman like a deer in the headlights. ]

G-... Good day. Thank you, m-miss.

[ Her hold on the bag tightens so hard her knuckles turn white. She bows her head respectfully but with hesitation. ]

b; looking around

[ Some time after settling in her cabin, Hanako decides to have a brief walk outside, just to take in the new air and carve the streets into her memory for future reference. The breeze feels fresh against her face, but she keeps the longer side of her bangs steady with her hand, afraid to show even a bit of what appears behind them.

Everything is new, and mildly terrifying. She's aware there are people around her, and if someone approaches she'll try to move out of the way and shrink herself as much as possible, trembling all the while she makes no eye contact whatsoever with them. ]

I'm s-sorry... do you need anything?

a)

[norrhamn_residents]

[ It's not a big group but it still takes Olivia a moment before she can put together the faces with the letters — she's read so many, and this is technically her first real day on the job. The anxiety of doing poorly hasn't entirely let go of her but you can get away with a lot if you do it with a smile and she can always collapse in a nervous pile later!

She smiles reassuringly at the girl. ]

You can call me Olivia... and you must be- [ A glance to her notes, just to make sure. ] -Hanako, right?

[burntviolet]

[ A small, unsure nod. ]

That is me. Ha... Hanako Ikezawa. I hope w-we get along.

[ There is no certainty in her words. After all, although the place looks beautiful, she can't predict what will happen from now on. ]

[norrhamn_residents]

I'm sure we will. [ Another reassuring smile. Her face is likely to get stuck like this. ]

How was the trip over?

[burntviolet]

[ Knowing she won't be able to answer if she holds any eye contact with the woman, she drifts her sights elsewhere. She gulps a lump off her throat before she speaks. ]

It was... not that eventful. But I was c-comfortable.

[ She narrows her eyes. ]

... Thank you, a-again, for this opportunity.

[norrhamn_residents]

Of course. We're only happy to help. [ Softly. She's no counselor or anything (maybe they should hire one?) but she'll do what she can. ]

[burntviolet]

[ She nods, chewing on her lower lip since there's a question hanging there and she must... get it out before she leaves. ]

Is there... a... a library here?

[norrhamn_residents]

There is! On the second floor of the community center — it's not particularly big, I'm afraid, but we aim to restock the shelves every chance we get!

[burntviolet]

[ A wave of relief washes over her, fists unclenching a little. ]

I see... thank you. That's... a-all I needed to know.

[norrhamn_residents]

Happy to help! Come see me if you have any other questions, okay?

[burntviolet]

... Y-Yes, sure.

[ Eyes cast to their feet, Hanako gives a curt nod and takes a step back. ]

Then I'll b-be on my way, miss Olivia.

[norrhamn_residents]

Enjoy your stay!

[ And she'll go back to all this meeting and greeting. ]