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

[oracledriven]

[Congrats, Olivia. You're really starting to make a dent in Doubty McDoubter's defenses. After all, if there are things like restaurants and stores in other worlds that don't have an agenda...there's certainly a chance that there's no hidden goal for a place like this.]

Hence the vacation aspect. I get it.

[Lady, you don't know the half of it.]

So we get a break, and you get...what, exactly? I'm sure there must be more than just "the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping people."

[norrhamn_residents]

Does it have to be more than that? [ She smiles a bit, like a dork. ] I see why you're concerned, though. Doesn't seem very likely that a bunch of people would dedicate their lives to this little island, just so they can help people they don't even know.

And... you're right. We get something out of it - different things. Some of the residents have lived here their whole lives, others get Government subsidiaries for being involved with this project. As for me... it's my job. I'm hired to look after all of you.

[oracledriven]

There usually is more than that.

[He's frank, but the potential bitterness in his voice is abated somewhat by her openness of explanation. Honestly? It sounds a little like the last place he was in -- the locals stick around because they've lived there so long, and they can build a relationship with the new people coming in. Just...just that they don't also get eaten by monsters.

That last bit catches his attention.]

I guess that's the part I'm confused about. Hired by whom? We're not paying for any of this -- so who is?

[norrhamn_residents]

The government, of course. [ It seems like such an obvious thing in this semi-socialistic country, and something that Olivia will need to spend some time with later on. Of course she knows that the guests come from very different worlds, but some things are harder to grasp. ]

The island wasn't used for anything, the residents were happy to get visitors and we have some, ah... local benefactors that contribute to food and other supplies. It all works out in the end.

[oracledriven]

... Oh. [That...wasn't an answer he was expecting. What, no vengeful gods? No mysteriously not-vengeful gods that still seem to have a Secret Agenda? Nothing? Government isn't exactly something he's ever experienced --in his own time, the oldest surviving elder would give advice, but it was hardly organized enough for government-- and even in Luxerion, the closest thing to a government was the Order. Or maybe their own little band of resistance. But it was never big enough, or official enough, to be a governing body.] I...guess that makes sense.

[You have thrown him for a loop so hard that he manages to not look wary for a few minutes.]

So it really is a charity project, of sorts.

[He says this as if it literally never occurred to him until this moment.]

[norrhamn_residents]

[ No vengeful gods. Some, uh... mischievous locals that she's really hoping will play nice and not mess too much with the guests, but other than that things are pretty chill on Norrhamn. ]

You could say that, yeah! [ A trial project, possibly the trail blazer for more islands like these all over the European Union. ] And if you don't believe me, give it some time. You'll see.

[oracledriven]

[For a second --one small, fleeting second-- Noel actually looks hopeful about what she says. Things that sound too good to be true usually are, but...what if this isn't? What if it really is a good-natured project? What if there isn't really more than meets the eye?

... He never considered what he'd do if this place wasn't really a trap.]

I want to believe you. [That part isn't a lie.] But it's gonna take some time for me. I'm sorry.

[norrhamn_residents]

That's okay. We have more than enough time to spare here.

[ She smiles, reassuringly. ] Is there anything else I can help you with?

[oracledriven]

[Phew. It sure is hard to distrust her when she's so calm and reassuring. He pauses, and shakes his head.]

I can't think of anything right now. [A faint smile.] I'll try to think of something before the next time I see you. Thanks.

[norrhamn_residents]

Enjoy your stay! [ With that she'll leave him to... well, whatever it is he chooses to do with his time! ]