melodiesofeternity | Introduction Log || Third Time's The Charm

Introduction Log || Third Time's The Charm

Who: All characters (New Arrivals, Previous Arrivals, and Native OCs)
When: August 5th
Where: The Dream Width (Airship), the Curti Center, and the Housing District
What: It is happening for the third time now. More outworlders have arrived in the Dream Width and must be rescued and brought back to their new homes on Vaikuntha
Warnings/Notes: Only new players can put up a toplevel. Previous arrivals and established native characters can respond to new characters' toplevel posts.

MEMORY

[ You've been here before...? No, wait, why would you think that? You're here in the moment, everything is as it should be...(?) The memory you are trapped in has completely enthralled you. You stop questioning and accept, you relive and repeat. Luckily, you are not alone. Others have arrived to help you. The travelers in the airships will enter the nebula formed by your memories and attempt to wake you up and bring you back to the present. The dreamer's mind will shape how these newcomers are perceived and how the NPCs in the memory respond to them. For more details on the mechanics, please refer to this post]

ARRIVAL

[ You wake from your dreams, from your memories, on a narrow cot. There are fleeting impressions- recycled air, humming machinery, movement, strangers waking around you. The room you wake in is lined with cots, with barely enough space between them to walk to the door, though not all of them show signs of having been occupied. The makeshift infirmary seems like it was prepared to hold many more than are here.

Stepping out, there is a lobby space that bears the signs of having once held some furniture, now cleared away to make space. Your footsteps echo in the emptiness.

As the automatic door slides shut on the infirmary, a light flashes on the far side of the room.

A flickering holographic projection of a man’s face and gloved hand appears projected in the space above the arrivals’ heads. He backs up so his upper body is in frame for the recording. An arm, covered in the same orange flightsuit sleeve, hands him a tablet. The man begins to read. A written version of the message scrolls along the bottom of the projection as he speaks. ]

’Welcome travelers’… That’s way too formal. Hey everyone.

Hi!

[ The second man leans into the frame to add his greeting. ]

Don’t panic. You were floating out there, but we pulled you in and rescued you.

Yeah, we’re heroic AND handsome. And also the only ones crazy enough to come out here to get you.

[ A woman’s voice calls from out of frame. ] Can you two be serious for ONE moment and stick to your scripts?

[ The two men give each other a conspiratorial eyeroll. This does not appear to be their first take. ]

Anyways, no need to panic. Seriously, don’t do anything reckless. We got our fill of that with Skywalker.

[A huff is heard offscreen, and the men finally spare the tablet another glance.]

‘Your pilots will be navigating treacherous environs as this message plays…’ Claire, seriously? Nobody talks like this!

[ The tablet is tossed to the side and lands with a thunk offscreen. ]

We’re gonna wing it. Look, everyone, we’re workin’ hard to get you planetside safely, and it’s gonna take some tricky flying to do it. So the door to the cockpit is locked so we can focus on not getting us all killed. Don’t try to open it, unless you want to be stardust.

We promise you’ll get answers about what’s going on once we land. But for now, please trust us. Right now, we’re your only hope.

[ The second man leans forward, close to the recording device, and presses a button. The projection freezes for a moment, and then the message starts on the next recorded message. ]

CURTI CENTER

[ Finally after hours of flight, you arrive at the Curti Center. The other NPCs await you having been notified of your retrieval in the Dream Width. Jessie gives a long and somewhat awkward welcome speech, explaining what the situation is: you were lost in a space called the Dream Width. You are now on a planet called Vaikuntha: for ages, the people of this world have used Airships to rescue people lost in the Dream Width, with one person being found roughly every ten years. No one knows why this happens, but this has been a mutually beneficial exchange, with the people from Vaikutha rescuing people lost in the Dream Width and the rescued ones sharing their wisdom with the people of Vaikuntha. Ten years ago, something unusual happened: two people were found at once, Biggs and Wedge. But that was nothing compared to what happened four months ago... And two months ago. And now, here you are. No one knows why such a large number of people has arriving lately, but the Curti Center is a place dedicated to piercing the Dream Width's secrets.

Jessie also introduces the other ones: Claire, the woman sighing and writing in her schedule book upon being pointed out as the bookkeeper, Kupoto and Mogaruru, their Mognet representatives and finally the Native OCs: those brave and kind souls who have accepted to help you all on a daily basis. She also mentions Cid, the director who is busy preparing for certain dealings later this month.

After Jessie finishes , the employees, including the Native OCs, provide a tour of the facility and help the newcomers navigate their future lives. Now is the time to ask questions and look over pamphlets regarding locations, Jobs, life in Vaikuntha... ]

[ If you want to contact an NPC, you can do so on the NPC Contact Page. ]

A BALL OF FLUFF NAMED MOOGLE

[ It has been a long day, perhaps now you would like to find your way to a place to sleep? Or perhaps you'd like to get some answers, but you can't be bothered to go seek people out?

And lo, just as despair begins settles in, a Moogle slams into you! Or stops by your side if their aim is decent... It's the Moogle Jessie mentioned in her speech earlier! And they'll be informing you that now, they will stick to you like your shadow and help you in anyway they can!

They're also giving you your iMog Slate- Now you can get onto Mognet! Isn't it great? ]

A QUICK CHECK-UP

[ Whether it's your Moogle, Native OCs or NPCs, all will urge you to stop by the hospital wing for a basic check-up. You may disagree, but listen. You've just been thrown into a space between worlds, rescued, and brought to another world. For your own sake, that's a good idea. Should you give in and go (or should you be dragged by your Moogle or a Native OC), you will find yourself in the cold and white space very reminiscent of an hospital. For characters with specific medical conditions necessitating help, this is where they will receive it if asked.

The doctors and nurses are all White Mages or Chemists, with various levels into their Job as well as medical knowledge. Don't mind the confused looks if you look like nothing they've ever seen before... It's hard for a doctor to be unable to give a proper diagnosis to a patient! For everyone else though, they'll be let go with smiles and be given a candy as they leave.

No one likes medical check-ups, but it's a very quick and basic one: testing reflexes, taking your temperature and the likes. On the bright side, while you're grumpily sitting on a bed with a thermometer on your forehead or in your mouth, it might be a good time to socialize with your fellow new arrival who's having lights flashed into their eyes by a doctor. Misery loves company, after all. ]

PRETTY SIGHTS

[ There's plenty of rooms to wander about in, with several points of interest apart from the offices.

The Airship Hangar is where the airships are kept and the first room you entered. Workers keep guard to prevent the outworlders from getting too close to the vehicles. Airships are expensive and they don't want you messing with them, after all.

Venturing into the Research Section, you can walk through public exhibitions on astronomy, airship design, and asterisk studies. A good place to get used to the basic science of this world. The laboratories lie behind a thick locked door with a sign reading "EMPLOYEES ONLY". No going there, for now anyway. Not too far from there are the Employee Quarters - work stations, apartments, and lounge areas. The latter are available to the public, whereas the rest is locked to Native OCs. But if you get them to be friends with you, perhaps they'll let you visit?

Also open to all is a Cafeteria - a standard food court with stalls serving all types of Vaikunthan cuisine. The Chef is a very jovial and absent-minded Hypello. Beware of long lines and crowded tables. Should you prefer open spaces, then the gardens are for you! There are different sections in the gardens around the center. One boasts a wide array of blooming flowers, another more practical with herbs commonly used in Vaikunthan cooking. One had been cultivated for butterflies and hummingbirds to visit. Paths have been laid through so that visitors can safely navigate, and moogles will swoop down and shout at anyone who strays into the flower beds.

Or perhaps, you want to wait till the sunset. Dusk on a new world, but a beginning of a new life... The sea shines bright in the orange light. A good moment for quiet contemplation. ]

HOUSING

[The housing accommodations are the best the Curti staff could provide, given that they are still also sheltering most of the previous arrivals from the Dream Width. The keys have been entrusted to the moogles who will be guiding the new arrivals.

The new arrivals can stop by the Curti Center storage room to collect some essential supplies that have been donated by charity organizations from around the world (there are boxes of toothbrushes and whitening toothpaste sent from the Zora, hair brushes from the Elezen, quick-drying towels from the Hypello, among the various donations of clothes, toiletries, and blankets), before heading to their temporary homes. The people of Vaikuntha have done their best to provide for their new neighbors and help them get on their feet.

Still, things will be a little cramped until the off-worlders can find employment and move into better housing. The staff hopes they can get along with one another until alternate arrangements can be made.

You can survive living with roommates for a few months, right?]

THE JOB FOR YOU

[An important part of life on Vaikuntha is the Job (or Jobs) you choose to take. No, not the way you earn your living. Your Job Class. Most Natives only choose one or two, but you'll have an opportunity to take on more Job Asterisks after you master your first Jobs.

The Curti Center's resident Job Master, Ganeshan, is more than happy to arrange transportation to the various Guilds so that you can claim your first Asterisks. ]

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Sora was a mess. He emitted sounds of groans, complaints, huffs, puffs, and protests as he was forced through the clinic in a fashion that felt quite something like a conveyor belt. He was in line with twenty-thousand-three hundred-and forty-nine people ahead of him and just as much as behind him. This was no way to find his friends! Numumu, his moogle, was idly standing beside him playing with the material of his red shorts.

He had finally had enough and he quickly leaned over and latched onto the next person who was walking on their way out of the clinic. With a cry of desperation and big blue puppy-dog eyes he begged, "please.... please... take me with you!"

Uh...

"I... am sorry?"

Angeal looked down at the teenager, blinking in confusion. This was a little bit familiar, in the tone and the clinging, and a lot utterly surprising.

"Is something the matter?" He stopped, but at least he didn't try to kneel to be on Sora's level. He did know better than that.

"Ku-pooo! Are you all right, kupo?" Milly was somehow both cheerful and concerned as she floated circles around them both.

Nunumu, his moogle, looked up to Milly and gave a small nod of recognition before he dropped his furry little paws down to his sides. He spoke up for Sora, “he’s alright, kupo. Just being fussy!”

Sora huffed, for now he ignored Nunumu and instead continued his plea to be saved. “This is a terrible process.. I’m not going to accomplish anything by standing here! I’ve got to find my friends! I’m fine, I don’t need to do this.. please take me out of here.”

Nunumu made a soft little noise, his pom pom bounced.

"Hmm." Thoughtful eyes on Sora, though plain blue, not mako eyes. "There are reasons why the process is as it is. There are many things that can happen to people in a strange place - such as the Dream Width - and some of them might even endanger others. And you would not like to do that, would you?"

Beat.

"Do you have any reason to believe that your friends are in some kind of trouble? If not, they will wait an hour longer, I'm sure."

Sora is not even hearing this guy right now. Instead he is mustering up the best, the absolutely best, puppy-dog eyes he can as he endeavors another plea for help. “My friends are always in trouble without me.” As if this guy would know that without knowing who he was or any of his friends were! It was just universal knowledge. Wasn’t it? This is Sora here! Sora who is the friend-protector and worlds-savior! Surely this guy will know through the power of his puppy-dog eyes.

“I can’t possibly be in this line any longer.. I’ll .. I’ll.” Then his stomach grumbles quite loudly between the two of them and perhaps, just perhaps, the core reason for his desire to leave the line submerges through his secondary objectives.

Well. Sora probably can't guess just how deep my friends are always in trouble without me cuts right now. Especially after the updates from Reno. Angeal does freeze for a moment, then reaches down to squeeze Sora's shoulder and looks over to Milly.

"Any chance there're some snacks you can bring us while we wait? Like a bag of chips or a candy bar? It seems like that might help for the moment, and we'll go looking for proper food." Eyes down to Sora again. "How does that sound, instead of trying to run off before the process is done? There are usually good reasons, for things like a medical checkup."

That should at least help. He hopes.

It didn’t seem like he was getting out of the line! Sora pulled in a breath and held it as his eyes slid over to Milly. He then exhaled and looked back to the stranger. “Okay! I’m Sora, what’s your name!?” He slowly released the other man’s arm and offered his hand for a shake. However, when the line moved he either (depending on whether the man gives him his hand or not) tugs on the other’s hand or his own hands go right back to gripping on the other man’s arm to tug him along.

When the line stops again Sora sighs and he looks up to the tall, and big, guy. “Are you alright? I mean.. through this check up?”

"Angeal. Angeal Hewley." Yes, he was going to shake his hand, and yes, he was going to walk with Sora. Fight-nugget as Sora may be, Angeal was just ... not difficult to move unless he agreed to be moved.

"I am... well, yes. The results are far more pleasing than I could've expected." There was an actual smile, if a small one. Who'd have thought a downgrade would make somebody this pleased.

"Aside from needing to urgently take care ouf the nutrients situation," deadpan, "how are you feeling?"

“Good! …” For the response to Angeal’s results. The inquiry about himself had Sora frown with a look down to Angeal’s hand. He had reached out to take Angeal’s hand and shook it but he kept a hold of it until Angeal would let it go. He looked up to the other. “I feel.. strange? Hungry mostly! But.. this is not normally how I travel worlds..” He admitted freely. “I use a space ship to do it! It’s a gummy ship but.. this.. coming through the dreamwidth, is weird.”

"The hungry can be taken care of, but the rest of the strange you might want to talk to those doing the checkup about. Just in case - they might have some nice suggestions."

Beat.

"... gummy ship?"

Still somewhat used to Zack's level of physical contact, Angeal doesn't mind the hand holding. At least for now. Doesn't really notice it very much.

Sora will hold on for awkwardly long before he realizes he ought to give someone their personal space. It was actually just super nice to have someone to touch; there was a part of him that felt as if it’d been a long - long - long time since he’s had any contact with another person. Not that he was aware of this, rather, on the forefront of his mind was the gummy ship. “Yup! Cid was really the master mechanic of it, but I’ll tell you Chip and Dale, well, they were the brains behind the running of the ship! They’re short, they’re cute, and they’ve just got the tools.. and maybe size, to make sure everything is ship-shape!” Sora was going a mile a minute but, once again, it was just so nice to have someone to talk to.

“It’s what I used to travel to different worlds, through space… you know.. the heartless had ships of their own.. had to take them out as we crossed the stars!” His eyes then widened. “What if… I forgot I was traveling across space and we got blown up to dozens of thousand-million-billion pieces and I came here through the dreamwidth? Well, I mean.. our ship got destroyed and me and the others are okay.. obviously I’m okay!” Somewhere in this Sora did manage to breathe.

Angeal blinks a little. And he thought Zack was exuberant.

"That... are quite a lot of people involved in this travel, aren't they? If I may ask, is it the same Cid who was in the message you saw on the ship when you were picked out of the Dream Width?"

There is actually. A lot of information to parse.

"I really do hope nobody got blown up into pieces, however. Even if you have already survived the destruction of the ship." Beat. "Did that mean that you were stuck in the same place? When your ship was destroyed."

"Nah! Sure wasn't!" Sora waved a hand before settling them both to his hips, he shifted his weight between his feet as well and gave Angeal a foot of space. He still had his head craned backward though and he was starting to get a crick in his neck for it. "Um, no.. because I honestly don't remember being on the gummy ship before I woke up... ah, uh.. here." His brows drew together and he expressed, "that's why I'm thinking maybe I forgot the last day or two ... before coming here because.. if I was found in space.. well, I ought to be .. or have been in space before?"

"That... would be a logical assumption. But I can assure you that I was not in space. And there... is no way for me to have gotten there."

He wasn't sure if that would help Sora or confuse him further, but if the teenager thought that he was missing time and that wasn't necessarily true...

Forget about it, Sora's already lost. He can't keep his thoughts in order, there's just too many distractions, too many possibilities, and where are his friends! In any case, "well, okay, so what am I in line here for really? Are they going to give me a shot?" Asking the real questions here.

Oh, boy.

"They are probably not going to give you a shot, just check on how you're doing right now. Not that much to it, really."

Probably. They didn't try to give him a shot. Probably for the best.

"Why? Are you afraid of shots?"

Sora's bottom lip spread across his face, then his mouth tipped downward as he thought about the question. "No," He said, without too much convincing. However, who wasn't afraid of a shot? Wasn't that a standard, common, typical and understandable fear?!

"I ... just... am really uncertain about this." He didn't want some random things being put in his body! "I mean, how are they gonna know what I need? How do they know what any of us need? Is it magic?!"

"Well... medicine is usually a science, but I would not discount the possibility that some magic is involved, too. But 'tis all right. Unless you are feeling ill, shots are very unlikely. All right?"

He was just saying.

Sora nodded, "yeah, okay.. I'm feeling fine." He was quick to put that question to bed (if it were even a question). "Where were you going, just now? I can meet you there when I'm done here?" Sora felt bad for keeping the other for this long, however, he was not done with the man yet! Not now that they were friends!

"Well. I have a questions to ask the staff at Curti Center still, and then probably letting the moogle lead me to the housing assigned to me. I could wait for you at the Center?"

He wasn't sure he wanted to be anywhere in particular, but going to a space of some privacy to think this whole thing over sounded good to him.

"Yeah, okay... thanks for hanging out with me. I'll see you at the Center!" Sora insisted. "Then.. well, maybe we can eat something?" Because he was still very, very, hungry. He then chuckled at the thought of that game he liked as a kid, The Hungry Hungry Hippos.

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Introduction Log || Third Time's The Charm

III. Check-up

So...ra

;^; Angeal... Angeal!!

Easy... easy, kiddo.

Buh ANGEAAALLLLL sob

... don't you Zack at him, kid....

nuuuuu but then yaaas!

Aww /ruffles his hair

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