melodiesofeternity | Event || A History of Light and Darkness

Event || A History of Light and Darkness

Who: Brave Explorers and/or Those Poor Souls Being Dragged Along by Friends
When: Oct 15-30th
Where: Thilmit Border Post, inside the Old Heranean Doll Museum
What: The Heroes of Light received a strange letter, and are now being asked to investigate the strange occurrences at the old doll museum.
Warnings/Notes: OOC Post Warnings for Spookiness, Creepy Dolls. Post toplevels for each group. Please post warnings as needed for memory fragments and exploration. For random numbers, use the dice functions on Plurk or Discord.

The Old Heranean Doll Museum is a small building, but somehow the dark, dusty windows and poorly maintained roof give it a menacing feel as you approach. The sign says, "OPEN"...although, as you approached, you think it might have been turned to "CLOSED".

The door creaks as it swings open, though there is no one from the museum to greet you as you enter. A cold breeze blows in behind you, sapping any lingering warmth in the room. The building is dark, and cobwebs are starting to form in the corners of the lobby and on the velvet rope stanchions that guide the flow of traffic in and out. Out of a shadowy corner, a large centipede skitters across the floor and into a crack low on the wall.

At the reception desk, one of the antique dolls sits, unmoving, unblinking. That goes without saying. Its eyes do not follow you as you enter.... The hairs prickling up on the back of your neck are just coincidence, that's all.

There is another doll perched on the wooden brochure display stand near the door. It's strange that the curator leaves the display pieces out where visitors can touch them....

As you enter, you hear something whistling through the air toward you a moment before it makes a impact. A tiny pebble, too small to do any damage other than a brief stinging. During this moment of distraction, the door slams and locks.

When you look at the spots where the dolls were perched a moment ago, there is now just empty space. There is movement in the shadows, and the nearly imperceptible sound of tiny shapes creeping around.

As you move past the lobby into the exhibits, a sign above the entryway declares:

Welcome to the Old Heranean Doll Museum. We hope you enjoy our historic Heroes of Light displays.

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Regis and Cor flew in with Noctis, to meet up with two people for the exploration itself. Regis had his Summoner on, since that was his stronger asterisk and he was still not steady enough, by his own standards, to take up exploration with Stave Master active.

The faces that their meeting was with were, indeed, familiar. He inclined his head, slightly.

"Castor. Your Majesty." Although he was aware that Ashe might not, actually, recognize him back. He glanced at Noctis, then at everyone else in turn. "I am ready for what is to come whenever we all are."

Cor nods in greetings to the two ladies as well. "Good to see that you two made it." Both Ashe and Castor seem ready to face whatever might await them, and that allows Cor to glance around their new surroundings. So run down...it's almost sad, in a way.

"...very well." He then nods to Regis. It actually feels comforting to see Regis well enough to help them investigate this matter. It's even more comforting to know that Noctis has begun to regain his old powers as well, in case there's any high places that they can't easily reach. He's looking for any maps for the various rooms of this place as he waits for everyone else to chime in....

Noctis is the last to exit the flying car, making certain that the systems are off and the hood is up in case of looters or dolls who'd wanna wreck it. Pocketing the keys, he nods to Ashelia before offering a faint but friendly hint of a smile to Castor. Like cor, he's relieved to see his father up and ready to move around somewhat. Yet he'll likely be prepared more to phase through anything thrown at them than actually warp. Thankfully he'll be able to scale walls with ease via Ninja regardless.

The map of the locations would most likely be inside, at the information desk.

"Same." Both in that he is glad the two made it, and that he's ready. Ultima blade resting on his left hip. "Been a while, Castor."

"Well met." Ashelia nods at the gentlemen and Castor, approaching the vehicle from her vantage point across the street. She's about to continue, but stops instead and turns to Regis. "...I'm sorry, I don't believe we've been introduced. I am the Lady Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca. Good to make your acquaintance." But how did he know to address her as 'Your Majesty?'

"I've not been here long. It's quiet." She crosses her arms under her chest, shifting her weight over to her right leg. "They lie in wait."

"Uh, well met...yer majesties...?"

Oh lord there were three of them. Castor doesn't bow. But she offers Noctis a smile at his greeting. "Aye! Keepin' busy, I hope? An' speakin' of..."

She turns to look at the Museum proper and doesn't bother to hide the shudder that runs through her body. "I daresay, this is more unsettlin' than the forest was. Who dedicates a whole museum te dolls?!"

"Ah." Regis inclined his head. "We have met, although that was... ere I spent some time in the Dream Width. When you first arrived, you introduced yourself as Alma, then made the announcement of your true title and name.

"I am Regis Lucis Caelum. And..." He smiled at Castor. "'tis not necessary on my account, should the title feel too much." They were not his subjects, and, truly, the title had passed on, though in a way, he would always be King Regis, that, he also knew. "Regis would be enough."

He turned towards the museum, and his expression softened. "I would say those who think the history of those dolls important enough to preserve. Which... let us find out what exactly that history is, then." ... "... was there much of interest that you found in the forest?" While they made their way there. One could never know what information might be of import, after all."

"Don't worry about titles and rank right now," Cor advises them in his traditional bluntness. "In this moment, we should remember why we're here - and who might be lurking inside for us." His conversation regarding those Moogles of Light, however brief before, certainly is something he's keeping in mind right now.

Still, there's a momentary flash of pity upon hearing Regis' words. "Shame that there doesn't seem to be as many of those people these days..." Even though Castor may have a point - the place does seem like just the kind of building to send chills down a person's spine. Thankfully, he's used to ignoring such chills on a regular job basis, even as he shifts to start heading into the museum ahead of everyone else.

...it doesn't stop him from keeping one hand near the hilt of Kotetsu, though...

Noctis couldn't help the vague amusement in his gaze. Both at the news of his old man and Lady Ashelia having met beforehand, and Castor being surprised at the fact that, oh lordy, there's three royals in this party. While he's glad for Cor's pragmatism, so he doesn't have to say it.

"Eh, getting by. Had to get my old moves back." He frowns a little, apologetically. "Sorry I missed the call." Not that he'd help much with Summoner being his second-weakest available Job, but he still felt bad missing out. "And don't most spooks happen once you're inside, anyway?" Juuust saying. From personal experience, and too many horror films he'd spook Prompto with back in their high school years.

"....you're Regis?" Ashelia's eyes widen in surprise, and it's a good moment or two before she's able to catch herself. It's not as if something similar hadn't happened before, but for so much time to pass and then be brought back...it's too cruel. "I see. It's good to see you hale and whole, then, all things considered."

The young queen takes a deep breath, closing her eyes. After indulging in a couple seconds to center herself, she approaches the front door of the museum. "I expect the trap will be set deeper within the building. We may as well enter from here."

Castor hums her agreement and moves towards the front of the group. "Wouldn't be my first tangle with dolls, though a lass can hope the ones here are...less magicked. I'll be happy te recount all we found in the Forest once we're done here, aye?"

She moves to push the door open as quietly as she can; If there's something behind the door, it may as well be her who takes it to the face, after all.

"I thank you." To Ashe, before he turns his attention fully back to the museum, gripping his staff firmly in his hand. Relatively hale and somewhat whole, but those are very much not details for now, and the people who must know the specifics, do. Though uneven, his steps are quiet as well, even if the caution they are exerting seems unnecessary, for the moment. The door opens easily, if with some creaking, and the interior seems calm enough. It is not until the last of them steps inside that a small pebble distracts them enough for the doors to lock, and Regis narrows his eyes at the entrance, before sweeping them over the previously occupied displays.

Then, a sideways glance at Cor. They have done their share of caves and old buildings, during their trip so many years ago. "Well. This does not bring back memories at all."

Gates closing wasn't exactly universal, but there have been places where they fell, or had other reasons to complete the exploration before going out.

"While on Eos, I would say that there will likely be something... challenging to overcome before we exit, I would still suggest that we keep an eye for alternate ways out. Without blasting through walls just yet, preferably." For one, Regis is certainly keeping his calm. Or, one might say, tranquility. Creepy vanishing dolls and all.

Although once they are actually seeing the dolls, and their somewhat familiar faces, that becomes far more pensive.

"Perhaps this place should have been a suggested place to visit, on first arrival to Vaikuntha. Before it reached its... current state."

Cor stays just a few steps behind his two kings - his usual bodyguard position - and keeps glancing around the area even as they enter the building. He doesn't turn his back to face the door slamming close behind them, but he does share that glance with Regis instead.

"No, not at all." So deadpan, much snark. But it doesn't make it any less true; He almost lost count of how many caves and old buildings they had gone exploring during their fateful trip.

"...still wouldn't hurt to find a room with any kind of records, first," he eventually suggests to the group. "Or the security office, if they have one here. Best get to know what we might be dealing with first."

Even if the idea of moving dolls still sends a small chill down his spine, he doesn't let it show. The Classic Cor Stoic Look remains on his face, even if one hand remains ever close to his blade's hilt.

Noctis follows close to his father's side, keeping his left to Regis' right; footsteps quiet, yet his left showed slight signs of a limp - too much time spent behind the wheel and not stretching out. Yet if he had to, he could switch to Ninja quickly and be capable of striking with his sword arm much faster that way. Though Cor's and, to an extent, Castor's presence kept that thought from being more than a footnote in his mind as he scans the entrance in the dim light. He needed no secondary light source at the moment.

"Well, Dad, considering Leviathan's trials and our trip to the mines," he says, briefly glancing to Castor as he says it, "Wouldn't be that much of a stretch." He recalls well the time fighting underwater, and calling a trap right as the person who'd gathered them together fell into a hole and they were beset by fiends. He checks his own doll - a tonberry dressed as a black mage despite his usual black attire not truly giving away his mastered Job. The way his eyes glowed red in the darkness did that enough as it is. How he wanted to not have to physically carry it any longer again.

He wanders over to the reception desk in front of them, guard raised. He hasn't felt this particular chill for months yet he still keeps that bored look on his face. He looks through the leaflets, ignoring the two dolls and letting out a quiet "Aha" the moment he found what he was looking for: a map.

"What about the curator's office?" Noctis asks, bringing the map with him. He turns on the small clip-on flashlight fastened to his jacket so the others could see it clearly as well. "Though that means going through here," he points to the room marked Preservation, "-and here." Multi-Media.

Edited 2018-10-23 13:46 (UTC)

Ashelia freezes as soon as she enters, eyes locked on the doll sitting beside the brochures. As soon as she tears her eyes away, they're drawn to the other doll in the room, and she feels a lump forming in her throat. Control yourself, Ashe. You knew they were waiting for you. This is simply, proof, nothing more.

She clears her throat, following Noctis to the leaflets. She picks one up herself, but still winds up looking over the prince's shoulder when he brings out the flashlight. "That would seem the wisest course of action." She takes a step back when she has the map more or less worked out in her mind, letting the others crowd in as they may. You must say something. You cannot let them walk into this without knowing. Your pride is worthless if they come to harm because of it. You promised her.

"I...I fear my presence was expected here," she begins, motioning to the two dolls. "These dolls both represent good friends of mine, Heroes of Light from my time on Crystallis. Heroes of the highest order." The last sentence is quieter. For all the hand-wringing about titles and such, those two deserve the recognition. "That is to say, it's possible they've prepared for me. Keep your guard up, and if the time comes, protect yourself above all else. Are we understood?"

"Any idea what te expect?" Castor asks, perhaps a bit absently as she keeps her eye on the room at large - She can hear that scuttling and doesn't like what it implies. "If you were plannin' for yourself, what would ye plan for?" Heroes of the highest order huh? She'd have to clarify once they made it back outside safely.

She convinces herself, after a moment of searching, that there's no immediate threat and turns her attention to the map, mentally tracing the suggested route. "Aye, that seems as good a destination as any." There's no room left in her thoughts to consider an alternate route; no room for curiosity. Castor could feel adrenaline begin to work it's way through her system, and her senses start to hyperfocus on what was immediately relevant to their continued survival. "Ye jes' tell me where to go."

Edited 2018-10-24 12:39 (UTC)

... Ashe. Please.

"And if we should let you be taken, or taken down, Queen Ashelia, allowing them to have what they want - should that be their specific goal - would that not be putting us at a greater danger later?" His mouth twists in a sad smile. "I understand well what you mean." From personal experience. It is a cup he drained to the dregs. "But this is not the time for it. We shall all keep our guard up, yourself included, and we are all walking out again."

Only after that does he turn his full attention to the map that Noctis is holding, and nod. "Sidra mentioned, before we set out, that the curator seems to have gone missing a few days ago. Checking her office might give us some information about that, as well."

Beat. "I believe that each one of us may be expected. That it is most obvious with one does not mean that we have not all been studied and prepared for."

He does not think it necessary to reiterate that all signs point to moogles being involved in this, considering that, yes, he saw Noctis's conversation with Ashelia. Instead, he points his staff in the direction that map indicates the Preservation Room is, beginning to move in that direction - not fast enough to seem to be trying to leave anyone behind, but the sooner they find out what next, the better.

Cor, at first, finds himself nodding along to Noct's offered plan of investigation. Both rooms would offer up potential clues into what has happened here, and what to expect once they do reach the curator's office.

But then Ashe spoke up, and how she was so willing to let herself be the sacrificial lamb... It actually made Cor twitch. A stony look settles on his face as he turns to give the Queen a 'why you doing this' look. And in all honestly, he was about to say something so Blunt that it bordered on Very Impolite.

Thankfully, Regis beat him to it, his words as silver-tongued as always. And that both calms Cor down a little and makes certain thoughts creep up from the more unpleasant corners of his mind. He didn't need a reminder of what Regis himself had gone thru, but at least, he can trust his dear old friend to talk his fellow monarch out of that kind of mindset. Hopefully. At least while they're here.

So instead, he turns his attention to Castor, even as he begins to follow Regis towards the Preservation Room. "Probably no different than studying an enemy - weak points, strengths and drawbacks to one's fighting style, whether or not they have a shred of decency and honor...the usual."

Ashelia's words almost made him freeze in place. He looks to her, no small amount of surprise and alarum in his gaze. Thankfully, his father beats both him and Cor to the punch.
"The letters we all received were baiting all of us here," Noctis adds to his father's statement, though a strange emotion hides in his stormy gaze. How many times has he heard similar words from his friends? He doesn't want to think about it. Not when there's a task at hand. "Of course you're expected. We all are."

He spares a reassuring smile to Ashelia before he turns to Castor. "On my left," he says, before turning to follow Regis. He keeps an eye out, not quite focusing aside from on the tiny sounds of doll feet on the floor.

Ashelia blinks, somewhat taken back by the response of her companions. She isn't sure what to make of it, and so instead chooses to turn her attention to the matter at hand. Off Noctis' quick smile, she draws her sword. "As you say," is all she offers in response, moving to cover the others' entrance.

"As for suggestions," she says, barely above a murmur as she tries to track the little footsteps herself, "fire is rarely the wrong choice."

Castor slides over to Noctis' left, marking the change in his gait. She has little to add to the conversation that hasn't already been said, and still no room to entertain her curiosity on a few matters. The soft scuttling noises are making her uneasy - she fidgets with her knuckle dusters and tries not to dwell on the memory of the dolls at the apex of the Antitower.

"I'll keep fire in mind," she says, shooting her own quick smile at Ashe, "worst case, we can jes' burn the whole place te cinders. That's like te take care of our hosts and all these little swivin' buggers."

Regis accepts Ashelia's acquiescence for what it is, but he would rather elaborate, should she wish to know, outside the presence of the two people he push far enough when he did sacrifice himself so that they lived when he did not.

Instead, he focuses on the task at hand. "It might be wise to hold off the burning the whole place down until we know there are no innocents caught up here and, with some favor from the odds, we might find why us, and why here." Beat, and he gives sideways looks to everyone else in their party. "Or, at least, until we might get overwhelmed, otherwise." He's terribly picky, truly, hut he does know when to make allowances. And fire sometimes is the answer.

That said--

Regis has turned his eyes forward towards the inside of the Preservation room they are all filing into, and.

"I believe that I saw something small dart on ahead. Keep an eye at the rear, if you would?" The best case scenario is that they don't get attacked. The worst is that they get surrounded. And Regis is definitely a 'prepare for the worst' kind of person.

Cor's glad that such a sensitive issue (for him and his kings) have been resolved for the moment. It allows him to focus more on the sound of little feet pattering around them, especially if they're heading towards them, or coming from the Preservation area.

"I got us covered from the rear." He also notes where Castor, Ashe, and Noctis are positioned around each other and the older men, even as he looses Kotetsu in his sheath. He'd rather not destroy any dolls, but if necessary...

Well, working off debts afterwards is worth saving lives in the long run.

Still, it's not that surprising to find at least a couple of dolls waiting for them as they step fully into the are covered in repair tools and materials. It is surprising, though, to see two of them look like people he knew.

And even as the 'Selphie' doll draws out a pair of improvised needle-chucks, Cor himself is caught by surprise by the 'Reno' doll attacking him from above with a pair of very sharp needles. The man tried to dodge out of the way, but get nicks in the shoulder at the last moment.

Beware, Ashelia - Selphie intends to make you bleed next.

Ashelia gasps when she sets eyes on the dolls. Her mouth hangs open for a moment, confused - But Reno is still here - before she springs into action. She jumps backwards, trying to put a little more space between her and the Selphie doll as it jumps at her, expertly flipping the needle-chucks around. The young queen brings up her blade to block the doll, but it flips expertly onto the edge of the blade, running along it towards her arm. She yelps, raising her arm as she drops to her knees, just in time for the doll to sail past where her face was, needles extended.

Ashe rolls away, sheathing her sword in the same smooth motion. The blade would only get in her way, clearly. "Magick it is," she says to no one in particular, Dual Blaziers rumbling in her upturned hands. "Immobilize them if you can!"

"Aye!" Castor yells her acknowledgement, even as she bursts into action herself. Ashe is closer and Castor marks the small doll harassing her. As soon as she ducks to dodge the doll, Castor whips her hand out to grab the doll itself before it can right itself for another attack.

She's about to proclaim that she's done as the Queen asked, but instead yelps in surprise and pain as the doll ends up stabbing the meat of her hand with it's little needle-chucks, and Castor ends up spiking it against the nearby wall instead, hoping the damn thing shatters on impact.

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Event || A History of Light and Darkness

Gathering + Preservation room: rolled 5

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Bringing back the roll from above: 5. Suggestion for Reno and Selphie dolls.

Rolled 2 for Reno, and 4 for Selphie

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