Introduction Log || Have a Merry Starlight Celebration

[eternitymods]

Who: All characters (New Arrivals, Previous Arrivals, and Native OCs) When: December 5th Where: The Dream Width (Airship), the Curti Center, and the Housing District What: It is happening for the fifth 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. They will get 25 EXP for replying to top levels. 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 place is covered with snow, it appears to be winter here! The other NPCs await you having been notified of your retrieval in the Dream Width. Jessie gives a long and professional 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 Vaikuntha 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 eight months ago... And six, four, 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 in his office. 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. ] STARLIGHT SIGHTS [ There's plenty of rooms to wander about in, with several points of interest apart from the offices. Most noticeably, the entire place is decorated with Christmas decorations and there are even employees dressed as Santa Claus! Of course, it's not called Christmas but the Starlight Celebration in this world. And everyone appears to be in the holiday spirit, ready for the great day on the 25th! 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, but they all look the same at this time of the year, snow covering everything. Oh, and what's that? It's snowing right now! 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 new 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 if they so wish. 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. ]

Comments

[fivestar]

( moogle )
[It has certainly been a day. This is the second time Arthur's ended up in a place completely foreign and unfamiliar to him in a short period of time, but he's no more shocked or disoriented than he was the first time. (Though it is strange, he can't deny that. To exist here as a Servant and yet have no Master... That's probably the strangest thing of all.) The memories from earlier still play through his head, and they leave him with warm feelings, but melancholy ones, too.

But perhaps due to all that nostalgia, when his moogle guide literally crashes into him, he can't help but think of a certain someone. The colors of its fur, its softness, the way it playfully bops him on the head... Yes, it definitely reminds him of her.

"What's your name?" he had asked. The moogle replied, saying he could call her anything he wanted. And he's so tempted to name it after her, but... Well, that might give away his True Name, so maybe it would be better if he doesn't.]

You remind me of someone I know. [She had not been summoned like he was, or at least, not yet, but if she was, he was sure she'd be...] How about Caster?

( starlight sights )
[The moogle has been leading Arthur around with some enthusiasm, although... at this point, it's starting to be a little exasperating. As she tugs on his hand, leading him to the cafeteria, he reminds her, for the umpteenth time today—]

As I said earlier, I don't actually have to eat anymore...

[As much as he didn't mind eating, he wasn't lacking in energy at all and there were more important things to be doing right now. But the moogle insists on "showing him something exciting, kupo."

She's pulling his leg. He's sure of it. This moogle is a little too familiar.]

[mythmaker]

Caster? My, my, what a cute name.

[Azusa peeks her head into the room Arthur's in and helps herself to entering a second later. Unfortunately, as she does, she takes in the room in front of her...this isn't where she meant to go. She wanted to go to the housing district...but this is the Curti Center.]

My, my. This isn't the residential area at all, is it? It looks like I've gotten lost again.

[fivestar]

[Oh... She heard him talking to the moogle. That's a little embarrassing, somehow.]

Th-thank you. [He will soon come to learn that there is nothing cute about this moogle. But more importantly, wow, she sounds really lost, huh?] Do you need help? I don't know where that is, but perhaps I might accompany you.

[It'd be nice to have a look around, anyway. Though, when he thinks about it, a residential area... Could something like that really be here?]

[mythmaker]

I really shouldn't need help...I've been here for months now.

[She places her hand on her cheek and tilts her head, humming in contemplation. She can't help getting lost sometimes, but roping in someone new makes her feel a little helpless.]

I don't mind the company, but are you sure? [Wait. A realization.] My, maybe I can help answer your questions as we walk? I'm sure you have plenty.

[They'll never get where they're going, but that's just how Azusa does things(?).]

[fivestar]

If it's no trouble, I would be grateful. [He wouldn't mind the more human-shaped company, either. (Anything is better than panda bear-shaped.)] I'd like to hear about your time here.

[He had questions, but some were things he wasn't sure she could answer (like how he's able to exist here), and others he could sort of figure out on his own (like— if there were any other Servants here, which he can already feel that there probably aren't). But hearing about her experiences could be useful, too.]

( starlight sights )

[provenworth]

[Elena was making her way from the cafeteria after hesitantly making a visit - it was important to keep her strength up and from her observations so far there was little risk the food was poisoned. Up ahead she saw the little moogle working so hard to get her companion to join her. Though, from what she could vaguely hear, he didn't seem too inclined to entertain her. Although...his comment did pique her interest enough to have her steps slow to a stop, allowing them to time walk towards her.]

You seem to have a headstrong companion there.

[fivestar]

Ah... [This is embarrassing. The nostalgia has worn off and he's ready to return his moogle. (But he won't, even if it's tempting—she's a valuable companion.)] She is. Fortunately, I'm used to such company.

[He had known quite a few people like that in his life, honestly. He's sure he'll be able to manage.]

Do you have one as well?

[provenworth]

[Elena can't help but give a small, sympathetic smile. She had to admire the moogle's stubbornness, at the very least. For as much trouble as it might give him, it could be a useful behavior.]

Sounds like its a good match, then. You must have patience for days. [At his question, Elena gives a nod.] I do. I've sent her out on a small errand at the moment, though. It's nice to have another set of eyes and ears in a new place.

[Paausse.]

Are you...new here?

[fivestar]

I am. [He doesn't seem too bothered by that, though. It was a strange situation, to be sure, but nothing he couldn't handle.] And I agree. I'm sure our new companions will be quite the boon for us.

[In... the long run, at least...]

I was hoping to do some exploring myself, but my friend seems to have different ideas.

[righthandstand]

[Thankfully, the cafeteria has an Old Starlight special today, and Okuyasu is taking advantage of the opportunity for once-in-a-lifetime feast. Namely, he's got piles of this weird pickled cabbage and cakes - holy shit they have honey cake, why has he never tasted them before? He shuffles across the room with his eye on his stacked tray when his foot bumps into something.

Oops.

At least he got the Moogle away from Arthur?]

Shit, sorry! [He panics, did he just break their nose?]

[fivestar]

[Oh... There she goes..... Arthur's jaw drops and he lifts a hand to try and catch her, but he misses. This guy absolutely punted her like an American football.

Truthfully, a part of him doesn't actually feel that bad about this, but he is a little concerned... at least until the moogle darts right back and tries to bop Okuyasu on the head, too.

"Watch where you're going, kupo!"]

Her recovery time is really something.

[For that comment, he also gets a bop on the head.]

[righthandstand]

[Her weak strength comes into contact with his protective mini-pomp, with bounces it off softly.]

Hey, I couldn't see you with all this food. [He smooths his hair and frowns at the moogle.] Least she's okay.

[fivestar]

It's alright. She's surprisingly light. I'm sure she hardly felt it.

["Is that any way to talk about a lady?" she kupos, but Arthur ignores the comment for now, continuing to address Okuyasu instead.]

I apologize if we interrupted you. I hope we haven't caused you too much trouble.

Starlight Sights

[sullenstallion]

There's nothing exciting in there. It's a trap.

[Dylas counters Caster immediately upon exiting the cafeteria. He looks pissed off, but he always looks pissed off. It's a good look for a snake. Or a terrifying one. His eyes narrow on Arthur.]

It's...really cold in there.

[That's it.

That's the conversation. It's not cold at all, he's just a sensitive baby when it comes to temperature.]

[fivestar]

[Even despite his less-than-friendly demeanor, Arthur is 100% more inclined to take Dylas at his word than the moogle at this point.]

Cold? [IS SHE TRYING TO LEAD HIM INTO A FREEZER?] I see. I had a feeling she was teasing me.

[Well, more than a feeling now, but you know. The moogle snickers, but tries to cover up her laughter. He looks at the moogle with a bit of a frown.]

In that case, we can return here later.

[sullenstallion]

You think they'd put up signs letting people know it's all snowy, but apparently not.

[It's not even a freezer, Dylas is just upset that the gardens are open and that it's snowing inside. Being around cold things like that makes him get all lethargic and sleepy, and even now he's shivering, trying to warm his useless, cold-blooded body back up. Where's a sun lamp when you need one?]

That's for the best. You'd thank me if you knew.

[It is only mildly lukewarm inside the cafeteria, Dylas is just sensitive, but what Arthur doesn't know spares his dignity.]

Uh...who are you again? One of the new guys?

[fivestar]

Something like that does sound like it would be useful. [Although he's still definitely imagining something like a giant freezer.] I appreciate the warning.

[Arthur will definitely have questions when he goes there himself. But for now...]

And yes, that's right. I just found myself here today. You can call me Saber.

starlight sights

[alborada]

She's only looking out for you. [ Sylvarie can't help smiling as she happens upon the scene, hands folding before her patiently as she offers them a light bow in greeting.

Alas her hair hadn't been properly pinned back this morning, so when the young woman rights herself again she finds the black bangs shielding her face. Just a moment, please don't notice the light blush...! ]

I-if I may ask, what do you mean by 'anymore?'

[fivestar]

[Oh no, how cute. Arthur's not sure if the moogle is teasing him or looking out for him (or maybe even both?!), but he appreciates the girl's optimism nonetheless.

He returns the smile, even as she asks him about something that he didn't quite mean for anyone to overhear. But it's fine, really—it wasn't something that needed to be hidden.]

Perhaps you're right. She seems a bit enthusiastic about it, though. [That was the nicest way he could think to describe it. And as for her question...] Hmm. Technically, this body of mine is not the same as a normal human's. But I was human, once.

[Before he died... But that might be a little too morbid.]

[alborada]

[ Preoccupied she may be with arranging her hair back in place, Sylvarie is still attentive to every word he speaks. From the sound of it, he had to be one of the Outworlders of the current cycle, making these interactions crucial. ]

You'll notice that the moogles are... passionate, with what they do. In their own ways. [ Though stubborn might be the better word for it.

Fortunately she's not as taken aback by his admission—when one of the more prominent Outworlders was a talking skeleton passionate about spaghetti, everything else became much more tame. Being dead, however, would be another matter. ]

But not having to eat shouldn't keep you from trying the foods here, correct? You'll find there is much variety inspired from all the different Outworlders.

[fivestar]

I can't deny that. In a place like this, there must be many interesting things to discover.

[He wasn't exactly excited to be here, if only because— he needed that Grail. But regardless of what he wanted, this was where he was, so... he needed to just accept that. It wasn't ideal, but he might as well make the most of this. It wasn't like there was any other choice for the moment.

Still... She seems very proud of her world. That makes it a little easier to accept, somehow.]

I'd like to experience everything this world has to offer. I simply thought it better to have a look around before I settle down.

Starlight Sights

[strawberryredgrave]

(Whether or not the moogle is talking about a certain zora working behind the lines of the cafeteria, it's definitely something exciting. Dante's known for being very showy and it reflects in his cooking. The spectacle of flambes and expertly tossing food from pan to pan would catch the eyes of goers as the meals would catch their nose. Naturally, the man seems to be having fun with it all, giving a few laughs and basking in the occasional applause.

Gourmands, man. They're fun to watch when they're not dipping into the nightmarish parts of that asterisk.

Noticing Arthur and his moogle walking in, the zora gives a smirk and decides to round out the current line of hungry people with a flourish, tossing out a little spice to kick the flames up as the finishing touch before their food is served.)

[fivestar]

[Eventually, Arthur gives in to his fluffy companion's demands. It wasn't how he'd hoped to go about this, but the pros of a positive relationship with the moogle outweighed the cons, and so ultimately, he decides it better to humor her, at least for a little while.

Admittedly, though, there's a lot more going on here than he expected. Laughter and conversation is one thing, but applause? Fine. Maybe he's a little curious.

His moogle enthusiastically gestures toward Dante. Even from here, it's not hard to tell that he's the source of the excitement—all eyes are on him, and the little crowd before him gasps and chatters in awe as the flames go up.

There was nothing like this at home, and he'd not been in Japan long enough to experience this sort of thing. The food smelled amazing (though unfamiliar), too, but the show is definitely where it's at. (...okay, the food probably is, too.)

Well, there's no turning back now, so Arthur lets the moogle lead him over, where he tries to peek through the crowd and get a better look at things.]

[strawberryredgrave]

(With several people walking out of the crowd with appetizing looking plates of food, there's enough space made for Arthur and his moogle to get a better look at the demonstration. Several assorted dishes are simmering away on the stoves closest to the serving area (thankfully not too close, though), ranging from various meats to pastas, rice...there's a range meant to cater to all kinds of tastes, from the looks of it.

The crowd begins clearing up after Dante finishes showing off, the people leaving the display impressed and eager to chow down. With all of them taken care of, that leaves Arthur next in line and Dante greets him with a traditional grin.)

Hey there. I've got a special going for people fresh out of the Dream Width: you gimme a dish you're familiar with and I'll give it a Vaikunthan twist. What're you hungry for?

[fivestar]

[Ohh... Well, if he's going to be offered by the chef himself, how can he say no? But then, the question is: what should he ask for...? His Master often went out of her way to make British food for him, even if it was often very different from what he was familiar with. He appreciated the thought nonetheless, but needless to say, he's had plenty of that lately.

He tilts his head thoughtfully for a moment before he decides:]

How about curry rice? Or soba, perhaps. I believe that's appropriate for this time of year.

[Also see: anything. He will eat anything. Japanese food was still very new to him, but it was interesting (and it took his mind off of home).]