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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[Happy.

What does Chara even know of happiness? It's such a far off notion. They've SEEN happiness on others, but it always seemed like it was something not meant for them.

So why does this weird...man? talking about happiness bring up something for them? Memories of someplace...dark, but also warm. Is that what happiness feels like?

For a moment, Chara remembers a door. And they don't know where they'd seen that door - it was far too ornate, too old, to be in the city. But it's too detailed to be something they just imagined. And they know, for some reason, this voice has something to do with this door.

They don't understand. Chara has no idea what's going on. They begin to move closer in a small shuffle, knife still outstretched, but their wrist a little limper now. No urgency in their motions, or intent. Just confusion and fear.]

Who are you? I don't-

Have we met? I don't understand.

[Is it working? They seem more hesitant now. That's a good sign. Hopefully. Certainly better than aggression and potential stabby feelings. They're coming closer. He'll hold his spot, not wanting to impose, too much.

But that question... hrm.

He frowns, chin in hand as he tries to formulate the best response.]

WELL, NO. I'VE ONLY REALLY MET ONE OTHER HUMAN, BUT... I'M THE GREAT PAPYRUS! WHICH I JUST SAID. STILL!

I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO ASSIST YOU. JUST PLEASE TRY TO STAY CALM.

[The name Papyrus seems like....something, they may have vaguely known. Not enough meaning to put it to the voice, but they know. Chara swears. They haven't just heard this voice, they KNOW this voice.

Slowly, finally, they let their knife arm drop. They don't put the knife away, but it's not pointed directly at Papyrus by now.

They walk a little closer still. Not bravely or certain in any way. But more willing to keep moving. The person they're talking to is clearer now. The fact that they're not human clearer still.

It's a monster.

On the surface?]

How did you get here?

[Chara's voice is barely above a whisper. They knew about the monsters. It was part of the whole reason they were so hated, that the power that flowed through their ancestors was what kept the monsters locked under the earth. Was what caused humans to fear them so much.

They don't know what to say, facing one now. Can't even begin to understand why they feel safe around one, even less.

Just confusion, all the way down and in every direction at this revelation.]

[Progress! More progress! Good, good. His posture starts to relax once they lower the knife. A hint of a smile creeps across his face. So far, so good. Maybe he'll have them snapped out of their trance sooner than he thinks...

But. Hrm.

How does he explain this? He rubs his neck for a moment, hesitating. He still remembers what happened with Monika before. He needs to choose his words carefully, but lying isn't really the proper course of action, either...]

I... WELL. YOU SEE, THIS IS ALL SORT OF. A DREAM. A MEMORY.

WHERE I'M FROM, A MAGIC BARRIER KEEPS US ALL TRAPPED UNDERGROUND, BUT I- WELL, WE WERE PULLED FROM OUR HOMES INTO THIS SPACE CALLED THE DREAM WIDTH.

[It probably sounds like nonsense, but. Might as well get to the point.]

[A dream. This is only a dream.

Chara doesn't believe that. For a moment, their hand tightens around the knife again, and they think to speak. That this person is a liar. That they don't need to explain about the monsters underground to THEM. They know all about them. They'd lived down with them, and they.

That voice.

The door.]

It's you.

[They can hardly believe it themselves. They can feel something lifting, like a haze or a great weight. The memories are like a flood, and it's overwhelming for a moment as Chara just goes silent.

They look around, as if taking the area in for the first time. The look back at Papyrus, and tuck the knife back into the back of their pants.]

So how do we get out?

[They can have a longer conversation, ask questions, later. It's obvious that whatever THIS is, it's dangerous, and Chara needs to help get themselves and Papyrus out as soon as possible.]

WE SHOULD PROBABLY START BY RUNNING.

[He looks over his shoulder, because past experiences have taught him that when a memory breaks, cracks start to form. If they don't hurry, they could end up lost in the Dreamwidth, potentially both stuck in memories.

Tentatively, he'll hold a hand out. Just in case. His legs are long, so he's probably got a slight speed advantage, but it's the human's choice.]

[Chara looks along with Papyrus, and is if on cue a crack shatters through the backdrop of the memory. It is a strange, and Chara would have to admit, terrifying sight to watch as reality itself seems to start to shatter.]

Running it is.

[Chara takes the hand offered them without hesitating. But they also start running immediately, as if they expect to be the one to lead Papyrus to safety.

They made a promise that they would protect all the monsters in the Underground. They didn't plan to break it.]

[Wow, they're sure in a hurry! Fortunately, Pap's scurrying along as fast as his bony legs can take them. They should be able to get back to the airship soon, which should fully get this human out of their dream-like state and into a spot where they can talk more comfortably.

Just a little longer... Should be coming up any second now. In fact-]

AHA! THERE IT IS!!!

[Chara keeps running, the skeleton behind him. They need to get him to safety, and even though they aren't entirely sure where they're running to, they're trusting Papyrus to tell them if they're going the wrong way.

Then they can tell that it is, in fact, the right way when they see the airship.]

Oh.

[Chara says, slowing a little. What can they say. For all their seriousness, they are still a child. An airship is, in fact, pretty cool.]

[On one hand, airships are very cool. He can't blame them for staring. On the other hand...cracks. Very, very dangerous, spreading cracks. Who knows how long this memory will even hold up?

So he gives a light tug and gestures at the ship with his free hand.]

I REALIZE THIS IS ALL VERY EXCITING, BUT IT'LL BE EVEN MORE THRILLING ONCE WE'RE SAFELY ON BOARD!

Oh. Oh right.

[Chara says, snapping out of their surprise at the sight of the ship. They'll be following Papyrus onto the ship now. Let's blow this popsicle stand.]

[And so onto the ship they go! Once they're safely on board, the remainder of the dream should disappear, allowing Chara to properly wake...

Which may be slightly jarring. It's certainly jarring for him, too. Snapped back to reality. Back to... semi-normalcy?

He'll wait near the cots, just so they can get their bearings. This whole experience was likely just a little startling.]

[It's jarring, moving from the city to the ship to the cot. It's odd as they rise up a little, looking around the room, head still full of dream. Still fogged a little.

They blink their eyes, softly looking around the room before they settle on Papyrus.]

Where are we?

[Ah! They're awake. Good, good! He'll offer a sympathetic smile as he moves just a little closer.]

WELL, WE WERE IN THE DREAM WIDTH! BUT NOW WE'RE ON AN AIRSHIP HEADED FOR THE WORLD OF VAIKUNTHA. WELL, MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE CURTI CENTER.

[Chara smiles sheepishly. The pain, and fog of memory hangs at the back of their mind.]

Those are some pretty big words, partner. I might need a little more explanation.

First things first, though. You said you're...Papyrus, right? I'm Chara Dreamurr.

[It's a monster, and very clearly a monster from the Underground. They're pretty sure they can trust them with their name.]

THAT'S RIGHT! I'M THE GREAT-

[Before he even finishes that sentence, his eye sockets go DOWNRIGHT GOOGLY, and he stumbles back.]

W-WAIT! YOU'RE... YOU'RE CHARA?!?!

[But. But that doesn't... But wait, time. Parallel realities. Still! This is... shocking. Very, very shocking.]

[Oh.

Chara's eyes go a little wide in surprise at that reaction. For a second or two, they're struck quiet. They're not sure what could have provoked that kind of reaction. Most monsters in the Underground knew about them at this point. Maybe the monster is surprised because they just hadn't seen them before. After all, Chara hadn't seen them either.

Deep in the pit of their stomach, Chara senses that, despite the voice, this probably isn't the voice from behind the door. At the very least, not the one they knew.

Chara smiles, trying to put up a sheepish demeanor. Trying to hide how on guard they are right now.]

That's me. Wow, partner. I didn't know I was famous enough to get THAT reaction.

[He's still staring. Like he's processing the fact that, yes, this is the Chara. Holy moly, what does he say? He can't just say they died. That would be rude. And also upsetting. So maybe best not to mention that detail, but...]

OF COURSE YOU'RE FAMOUS! YOU'RE... YOU'RE THE CHILD WHO WAS TAKEN IN BY THE ROYAL FAMILY! THE SYMBOL OF HOPE!!!

[That seems positive enough. Probably.]

[This is awkward beyond words. Chara can't help but shift a little uncomfortably. Especially that last part.

Chara looks at Papyrus so hard they might as well be staring through them.]

You mean by the Royal Scientist, and head of the Royal Guard. I'm pretty sure the King doesn't have any kids. ...Really, I can't imagine him trying to raise any.

[Sans came off as more a goofy uncle then a dad, truth be told.]

BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE! UNDYNE WOULD NEVER ADOPT A HUM-

[He has to stop himself, because that statement... reveals a lot. Quite a lot.

Fortunately, Papyrus has dabbled in parallel realities, at least to some extent. He knows they exist. He's gotten a lamp from one and made contact with another.

So he stops, looking away and rubbing his chins as he gathers his thoughts. Deep breaths, Papyrus. You can do this. Just think of the right angle...]

I MEAN! WOWIE. THAT'S INCREDIBLE! AND STILL A FINE LINEAGE. IT JUST TOOK ME BY SURPRISE, BUT I BELIEVE THE SIMPLEST EXPLANATION IS PARALLEL REALITIES.

[Hopefully he won't sound too crazy.]

[Surprise after surprise, and none of them good. At least none of them are bad, either, strictly speaking. They keep a smile on, but it's a little weaker at this point.]

That's a pretty big conclusion to jump to, don't you think?

But maybe it's true. After all, everyone here is from different worlds. It's not so crazy to think there'd be other versions of the Underground, right?

[Even if it's this extreme. SAVING and LOADING could only alter things so much, certainly not like this.

At least, Chara only thought so.]

NYEH HEH HEH! PARALLEL WORLDS ARE ONE THING, BUT THE REALM OF ALTERNATE DIMENSIONS IS VAST! PROBABLY. ADMITTEDLY, I'VE ONLY MADE LIMITED CONTACT WITH OTHER REGIONS OF THE MULTIVERSE.

[But while he's grinning at the thought, it does falter a bit when he realizes... this is probably a bit off putting.

Hm. How to tackle this...]

STILL! THAT'S VERY NEAT. AND INTRIGUING! TO THINK I'D MEET THE CHARA. ...WELL, A CHARA. YOU GET THE IDEA!

[Chara rubs the back of their head, smile a little more sheepish and strained.]

Heh, you're making me blush, partner. I'm not sure I get the idea, but if it's that big a deal I'm glad I guess?

[Still. They're pretty surprised by that first bit.]

You've spoken to other universes before?

IT'S THE BIGGEST OF DEALS!!! BESIDES, I ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT YOU WERE LIKE. WELL. THE OTHER YOU. POINT BEING, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

[A chance to befriend a human of legend! Ish. Truth be told, most monsters don't look kindly on them, but still!]

AS FOR OTHER UNIVERSES, I ONLY EVER SUCCESSFULLY COMMUNICATED WITH ONE, BUT I DID GET A LAMP FROM ANOTHER.

[Chara is unsure they really want to ask much more about who they were in some alternate timeline. It's weirder still to hear about themselves from some monster from the future as well.

Let's change gears entirely.]

A lamp from another universe huh? That sounds pretty enlightening.

[Let's just tell dumb puns for now.]

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