Event || A History of Light and Darkness

[eternitymods]

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.

Comments

[pishirogane]

[Once the attack had passed, Naoto shifted how she was on Kanji, sitting properly on his shoulders instead of just clinging onto his back. Her own staff in hand, she avoided turning it into a gunblade for now, but she did proceed to making the motions. Sure, Ifrit was there just moments before, but a Partial Summoning was different from the Egi Summoning.]

It's not going to be a boot, but close enough...

[Emerging from his burning seal, he reared on his hind claws with a bellowing howl, knocking his knuckles together and igniting them. With both fists flaming, he charged at the King and swung them at its fluffy face.]

[eternitynpc]

[The King thrusts his Scepter to defend himself against the attack, but Ifrit's hellish strength is a match for the mighty Moggle Mog. Flames creep up his sides, gradually dying down, but their embers illuminate the darkness of his souless eyes.]

How dare thee insult thy ruler! Foresoothe, I too weird the power of the Eidolons!

[He waves the Scepter above his head, summoning Dark Chocomog. The familiar summon materializes before Naoto and Kanji, yet their movements are stiffened, their smiles sinister, as the Chocobo charges at both of them for a beak strike.]

[topgun_textiles]

[He raised his great sword to brace for the impact and parry, teeth grit. He wasn't aware that was a summon... that had to be cute too, didn't it? But it was a little more creepy than anything.

He focused and widened his stance for the Saint Cross, unleashing that burst of energy for both Chocomog and master for their troubles.]

[pishirogane]

[That hurt, but she wasn't going down yet.]

Again, I don't recall you being my ruler.

[And if he wanted to be a brat insisting on that, she'd just call upon someone else. The next wave of her staff and the temperature dropped in the room. Again, she couldn't draw upon their full strength, but Shiva could be drawn out to use Heavenly Strike on the Dark Chocomog.]

[eternitynpc]

Nay, thy future ruler, kupo!

[King Moggle Mog grows impatient at the lack of groveling before his terrible might. He shakes his royal Scepter at the two and at Shiva as his summon halts it attacks and returns to the astral plane.]

Cursed Calamity-Marked! Thou dost not comprehend the power ye face!

[He holds out his scepter before him, and another Moogle appears - this one wearing the garb of a Dark Knight. It charges at Naoto, striking her with its spear before disappearing.]

I shall make thee bow even with thy dying breath! Kuu-po-po-po!

[topgun_textiles]

Tch... what would you know about Calamity stuff? You're a friggin' doll!

[He shifted a step and took that to the chin, ticking a stack off of his cover. He chose to advance in a rushdown. Can't cast magic if you're too busy to waggle your dumb stick around.]

Get lost! You, and whoever the hell made ya!

[A pivot and a swing. C'mere, ya little bastard!]

[pishirogane]

[Naoto had been concerned about that attack - keyword, 'had'. Kanji was very good at having her covered.]

We do understand, and that's why we do not bow to you.

[With Shiva gone, Naoto's getting low on energy. Summoning could take a fair amount, but she would draw her guns next round if she had to. With another wave of her staff and gesture towards the King, the sigil appeared again, blue and wavering. A gateway that allowed Leviathan to emerge partially and strike back in retaliation with a Tidal Blast.]

[eternitynpc]

[Kanji's attack strikes the Mog Doll in the fat face, sending it flying across the room and knocking off his tiny crown. He continues to clutch the Scepter, prepared for righteous retaliation when a jet of water smacks into him. He flutters up, his soggy body holding him down.]

You---! My power--! This cannot be--!

[He holds up his Scepter for one final time, creating a blinding flash. When Naoto and Kanji regain their vision, Moggle Mog has disappeared, though his high pitched voice is heard from a distance:]

I shall return and enact mine revenge, kupooooo…

[The party is free to enter the curator's office.]

[topgun_textiles]

[He recognized the hell out of that Tidal Blast. It'd been a while, and at least he was 100% conscious for it this time around. But that seemed to do it, driving the moogle to finally realize he'd be outmatched he-

Kanji raised an arm to shield his eyes, but still had stars popping in them. Okay yeah, he'd definitely need his damn glasses before the year was out. But when his vision cleared, Moggle Mogg-but-not was gone.]

...Am I still half-blind or is he gone?

[Because his eyes still needed to adjust a little bit. He brought the heel of a hand to rub against his face.]

[pishirogane]

[She's quite appreciative of Leviathan's abilities. The Eidolon really has been a great companion since they awakened her and Naoto was happy to dismiss her after a brief pat on the nose after the spots cleared from all their visions.]

[Looking down at Kanji, she reached into her bag and pulled out a potion, holding it down to him.]

He's gone. We should continue on, but drink this first.

[He took a good brunt of the damage, and while he was a tank, that still meant he required some healing.]

[topgun_textiles]

[The spots popped and disappeared, revealing a familiar hand offering a vial. Briefly he thought of the medicine he'd needed to take and couldn't mask the hesitation that followed.]

Thanks, Naoto. Man, I wish they didn't taste like crap...

[He accepted it and popped the cork. Upon first drink it was already worlds apart in how he felt from his core to his extremities. But it also put the color back into his face.

Well. No. That wasn't why. It was enough to fight away the bitters of the tonic, however.]

Y-you, uh... you comfy?

[pishirogane]

... I still have your tea if you want it.

[It's a very odd habit she can't break. Hopefully, he doesn't notice her face turn pink... or red.]

A-Ah... yes. But if you're not, I can get down.

[topgun_textiles]

[He shook his head. If he was gonna get used to this kind of thing, he needed to stop with the chasers as far as he was concerned. A man took his damn medicine and didn't bitch about it!

But he stood up straighter and hooked his arms beneath her knees. His fingers worked to turn the massive sword's blade backward. No need to accidentally stick anybody, right?]

I'm- I'm just checkin'! S'fine!

[Holy shit his heart was going to explode. He turned and headed for the faculty office. Was she always this light? Ah, but she ate like a damn bird. He needed to make bigger dinners.]

[pishirogane]

[There was nothing wrong with a chaser. It'd help make sure the medicine went down, but it was his choice. For now, she would put away her own weapon while he carefully stored his own. Right, sword on the back... she'd be careful.]

If you're certain.

[He already was holding onto her knees... She would make sure to duck down when necessary.]

[eternitynpc]

[If these two lovebirds platonic buddies are ready to go, the door to the office opens a little wider.]

Is he gone?

[The same sliver of face scans the area around the two, and seeing no sign of the Moggle Mog doll, finally opens the door. A short-for-her-kind Bangaa woman stands inside the office.]

Quickly, come inside. He could come back.

[The office behind her has been converted into a temporary shelter, with a lobby couch now serving as a bed and a pile of vending machine wrappers in the corner. It does not look like the Curator has left her office in days.]

[topgun_textiles]

[Well, he saw no reason to refuse the offer. But he shouldn't linger for long if he can't just get her out of here and to safety. Kanji's on the move to take that offer and head inside.]

Uhh, just lettin' ya know, some people're planning on burning the museum down with everything in it, so we probably shouldn't stick for very long.

[pishirogane]

[Naoto was somewhat startled at the appearance, having been bothered enough by the King, that she almost forgot about the Curator. But now she was there and inviting them in... with Naoto shooting a sharp leer down at Kanji. Did he have to tell her that?]

[It'll go away once they're properly inside the office, her brows furrowing at the sight.]

How long have you been stuck in here?

[eternitynpc]

[The Curator gasps, and shakes her head at Kanji.]

No, you can't burn it down! Absolutely not!

[Huffing, she faces Naoto.]

I'm not stuck exactly, but I can't leave until I figure out what's going on here. If I leave, that awful Mog will take them all away and I'll never get them back!

[Her voice rises as she says that, and she has to take a moment to breath and calm herself.]

But I am getting ahead of myself. My name is Celain, and I am the curator of this museum. Please, tell me who you are and what you've learned so far.

[topgun_textiles]

Not me, damn it, but... somebody might! S'why... ugh, nevermind.

[But that's a kicker right there. The king dude wanted to take the dolls somewhere. He scratched his head and gave things some thought.]

Kanji. So this place is about history, craftsmanship, but it's... it's old. It didn't do a good job to hold kids' interest. I can feel that- I had some kids from home who didn't give a shit about dolls, or... all the work n' love that goes into 'em.

But somethin' has the dolls up in arms, and the rooms are cursed. Also the dolls keep gettin' cleaned of dirt on their feet, like they've been on regular trips outside somewhere. Since... April, right? When we all got here? But way more lately.

[pishirogane]

[... just because she said no didn't mean Naoto would stop considering the option. Nonetheless, she wanted to know what they uncovered.]

[Though, providing some critique and feedback into the museum overall would help entertain future customers so she didn't stop Kanji from doing that.]

Indeed. Though, their more frequent activity this month I assume has to do with that moogle we just faced. Whether or not he may be behind them since April, however, is a point of debate. Still, he did refer to us as 'Calamity-marked'. Whether him or another source, it's likely there is a shared disdain towards us.

[eternitynpc]

[Celain thinks it over.]

I suppose it did start about that time...but I don't recall seeing the moogle doll until earlier this month. That's when everything started going wrong! Even when the dolls started becoming active, they never tried to harm anyone...until that moogle came.

[She frowns at Kanji.] There are some children who love this place. True, it might not be for everyone, but it's not old, it's vintage!

[Kanji isn't endearing himself to her. She focuses on Naoto, who has offended her less.]

[topgun_textiles]

Shit, ya sound like my mom...

[He couldn't mask the eye roll, scratching the back of his head. It's vintage... still old as hell, lady. Naoto was the better talker anyway, so it was no skin off his back if he leaves the puzzling to the detective.

Wait.]

Hold on- you were cleaning the dolls along, weren't ya, and knew they moved this whole damn time? Ya didn't let somebody know??

[pishirogane]

Until the moogle doll...

[She placed a hand on her chin, considering this new information. Could it be part of the hauntings...?]

... There's been a number of incidents involving Moogles this month. And supposedly, King Moggle Mog influence strengthens during this month. Still... do you know who brought this doll, or which doll might've brought it in?

[eternitynpc]

[Celain snorts at Kanji's question and directs her answers at Naoto.]

There have always been stories about the dolls being...active...sometimes. It may be strange for Outworlders, but in this world, Black Mages and Puppetmasters can animate dolls. I'd never seen them move, but sometimes if I lose my keys, they appear the next morning on my desk, or if I fall asleep in my office, I wake up and find a cup of coffee. So I didn't think it was so strange, at first...

[She sighs.] But the moogle doll just appeared one day. There's no record of an acquisition from before I took over, and I certainly didn't bring it in. I thought it must've just been in storage and been overlooked, but now I think it might be something more sinister.

[Celain sits down on her couch and looks up at the sky.] I am not sure what makes this year so different than all the others. The Moggle Mog stories are all just silly legend.

[topgun_textiles]

Yeah, screw you too.

[He turned to Naoto.]

So we just find the doll and do somethin' with it. It can't do its thing if it's been turned to fluff. There has to be a mastermind who'll try to send a replacement somehow.

I mean, it ain't like we can talk to the dolls and have 'em show us anything.