melodiesofeternity | Introduction Log || Have a Merry Starlight Celebration

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Introduction Log || Have a Merry Starlight Celebration

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. ]

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Wha-?

[Kenichi perked up when he realized someone was talking to him. He turned around to face the speaker but stopped when he realized there was no one there at first until he looked down. Even after living for more than 100 years, even a sentient robotic figure can surprise him.]

Whoa! Geeze, sorry about that. Guess I didn't dry myself off enough. Hang on, I better get a towel to wipe this up. I think I found some in the chocobo pen area back there.

Uh, you're definitely a new face I've seen here. I take you just arrived?

[Good. He's taking responsibility for his actions. Minimus follows him around like the sternest grandpa, waiting for the human to retrieve towels.]

That is correct. I am Minimus Ambus from the planet Cybertron. [Is that pants leg partially untucked from his show? That's extremely bothersome.]

[Thankfully this now former god, know how to keep his appearance. Even on an airship pilot's salary, Kenichi always made sure his clothes were altered to fit him. He leads the way to the room he came from and to the shelves that had some towels folded up.]

I'm Kenichi Nakagawa, from...one of the Earths. There's a lot of us from an Earth but I don't think we ever established which one is which. Anyway...

[He grabbed two of them, figuring that would be enough to soak up the water.]

Guess I got caught up in my own thoughts back there. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[The problem with organics is that their clothing allows for multitudes of violations against dress codes. Minimus must find the time to research the differences between regions.]

Multiple universes, or so I have been told. [He's experienced that before.] I do not intend to offence, but it appears Earth - or similar planets with human inhabitants - appear to be a common world from which to draw.

[Kenichi got to work on wiping up that water. He didn't seem that bothered by that last comment at all.]

You know, I always wondered about that. Compared to other living creatures on a surface level, humans can be considered inferior in every way possible. However, I've learned over the years that they make up for that with their tenacity, resourcefulness and can be quite the wildcard. Perhaps that's why they've been selected more so than other races.

[He kneels down to inspect if all liquid has been properly wiped.],/small>

I suppose that due to their shorter lifespans when compared to us Cybertronians, organics create new strategies and ideas at a rate that we are unable to replicate. That is why, in my knowledge, their species are more common across the universe than techno-based life forms.

[Kenichi is doing an excellent job, thank you very much. He may have been raised in a manor, but he's no way inept when it comes to clean up. Raising twins trained him for things like this.]

True, you could get know several humans over a large amount of time, but they'll still manage to surprise you when you least expect it. Growing up, I always wondered why my father always worked so hard on their behalf but over time, I began to understand why.

So what is the average lifespan of a Cybertronian?

[Good. This is better behavior than he would typically expect from...well, Rodimus, specifically.

Though...if he speaks of humans in a distant manner, what is Kenichi?]

To answer your question, Cybertronians lives for millions of years, though we have existed for roughly 12 million. I am curious to why your father would represent them. Forgive me for my ignorance, but to the best of my knowledge, you appear to be a human from Earth.

[Kenichi almost dropped the towel when he heard the answer.]

M-Millions?!I don't think I've ever met a being with such a lifespan.

[Well instead of the cat's out of the bag, it's more the cat going to stay there even if the bag is open.]

Physically, I do look human but I'm not exactly. I guess the best way to put it is, looking after a small portion of humanity is a bit of a family business. Of course, this world does make it hard to prove that since it does strip powers that aren't from here. Though I have been considering a custom job that brings back one of my powers.

Unsurprising, considering that organics and Cybertronians do not have a history of good relations. [But that's an uncomfortable history lesson for...a later when he has access to a projector.] Elaborate on you family business. It would appear that your father functions as a representative on the Galactic Council, but I do not want any misunderstandings if we are to collaborate in the future.

It's not the Galatic Council, I'm afraid. Oh, what's the best way to explain this since this can be a touchy subject for some...

[He rubs the back of his neck as trying to explain things was more the other Inari, his wife's stronger suits.]

Since the creation of humans, there have been myths and folklore about supernatural creatures, spirits and powerful gods who can influence and govern different aspects of life. The truth is, all of three of those do exist, and long ago they coexisted with humans. To make a long story short, things got out of hand very quickly and so my world is actually split into two realms, the living realm where the humans reside and a spirit realm where the supernatural, souls waiting to be reborn into the living realm, and gods reside.

[Only Bonnie, Takeshi, and his own moogle knew what he was about to say next. However, this was for the sake of building trust.]

I...am one of those gods, or to be accurate, I am the fourth deity to carry the name of this god and the powers and duties bound to it. I also run a corps dedicated taking out those who threaten the delicate balance between the realms, which was my father's idea. Back home, no one is immortal, not even gods. We just have longer lifespans but we probably would look like infants compared to a Cybertronian. I don't expect you to believe me and I am fine with that. Besides, any proof that would confirm this has been stripped away from me but that is the truth.

[...

Gods are real, then. Minimus should not be surprised. The crew of the Lost Light encountered the oddest occurrences, even if powerful gods were not one group of visitors he had foreseen (though he was wise to abstain from participating in discussing regarding religion and mythology unless immediately relevant, particularly when Ratchet or Drift were involved). Kenichi has no benefit in lying of his status, but as with all things in life, one must proceed with caution and acceptance.]

You are correct in that it is difficult to believe that you have this sort of influence over an entire species, but for all who have been drawn to this universe, we have little backup to our claims save for the people who knew them prior to arrival. [Which is why Minimus cautions Monika in regards to Megatron.] Your universe sounds...

[Poetic? Fantastic in the fictional sense?]

...rather high-concept.

What was the initial subject of this conversation?

...I'll be honest, I think we only did introductions before I accidentally dumped a lot of information on you.

[Kenichi cleared his throat.]

Uh, but hey, if you ever need an airship pilot for any reason, you can always contact me. I don't know if you were told this, but sometimes we might get notice that items from our home world can be found in the Dream Width. I don't have my own airship yet, but it wouldn't be too hard to find a rental to suit our needs.

Items? [Oh, this is interesting.] Of what sort do you speak? I have some small and larger objects that I wish I had on my person.

[Datapads? His armor?]

A question: from where do they appear? Would it not be possible to return to our universes via the same method which they arrived to this one?

That's the thing. The items that have been found, or so I heard, vary from person to person.

As for why we can't just go back the way we came via the Dream Width, I can't say for sure. Magic hasn't always been my strong suit. Though I wonder if the magic behind it makes it so it's one way. I mean, if we could go back, we would've done so already.

However, after learning about what's going on here and how it would effect our worlds, it's something I couldn't just ignore.

By "magic", you mean some sort of scientific system that we are unable to explain with our limited understanding. [Rodimus called everything he couldn't understand to be magic. He was well aware that was not the case, and he was referring to specialized topics erroneously. How he wished that his captain understood the severity of incorrect nomenclature!]

I have heard that there is some worldly threat to arrive in a few months, but I have not yet read of the details.

Well, I mean this world does have a magic system which I suppose could be interpreted as their equivalent to science? Really, though, there's magic here that spans from casting fire upon your enemies, summoning powerful beasts known as Eidolons to lend power to you and using music to either empower your allies or weaken your enemies.

[Kenichi rubs the back of his neck.] I see. Uh...so basically, we have a very rogue summoner who managed to figure out how to summon the Eidolon known as Bahamut. While Bahamut is supposedly the Lord of all Eidolons, this one is said to be the most destructive of all with the power to bring death across all the known worlds.

On my planet, it is possible for one to have been forged with an ability to ignite flames or to have been outfitted with modifiers with similar abilities. I would not be surprised if organic races could augment their bodies in such a fashion.

["Magic" is a vague descriptor, no rules, no detailed explanation on its workings.]

I cannot say I have personal experience in such a matter, but what do we know of Bahamut? Is it possible to engage in combat against an Eidolon as powerful as he?

Hm...I can't remember of the top of my head. Since Bahamut was sealed away so long ago, knowledge beyond his title and powers were supposedly been lost to time. I think it was remarked that it was incredible that anyone could find the ritual to summon it to begin with. In the terrifying sense of incredible, that is.

I'm afraid I have no experience fighting an Eidolon that threatens multiple worlds either. As for whether we have a chance of defeating it, they say we won't know until we try. It's why many of us are getting stronger with these Jobs this world grants us. I do believe through some research, it may be possible to make a custom job for yourself to restore some of the abilities we had back home.

The fact that we may retain our abilities from our home universes is comforting. However, once we find this summoner, we should discover how they found the knowledge to summon Bahamut to reverse the process.

[He hopes. Unicron and defeating the Functionist Council has not happened yet in his canon point. There isn't much precedent.]

Do you have one such Job?

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Introduction Log || Have a Merry Starlight Celebration

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