Introduction Log || It's Happening Again (Again!)

[eternitymods]

Who: All characters (New Arrivals, Previous Arrivals, and Native OCs) When: June 5th Where: The Dream Width (Airship), the Curti Center, and the Housing District What: It is happening again. 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 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. Cid gives a short and to the point 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 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. Cid also introduces the other ones: his assistant Jessie, a young woman fascinated by the new arrivals, 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. After Cid finishes (and Claire grumbles at her work never being done), 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 Cid mentioned in his 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. ]

Comments

[arosetowar]

[No no no no no. That damned ah is all the confirmation she needs. Panic begins to creep its way through her, though her rage is still strong enough that it exists only as a bare quiver to her voice.]

Are you all right? Has he hurt you?

[likewishes]

Maybe you should learn some patience.

[ But he does pick up his pace. As much as he can. ]

[warpstriking]

[Servant. That was a new one, if he ever learned that's what Ravus thought he is. Yet he doesn't stop, only takes a step closer. Still on guard because he knows what the older man is capable of. After all, he saw it. Thanks to his longtime friend.]

Even if I could, I wouldn't. [One more step.] Duty compels me to help you, even if it hurts.

[He tries, so hard, not to falter. Yet at the sight of his beloved crying, he- he has to swallow, hard.]

Luna... She's not here. ['As much as I wish she were,' he almost adds, but holds his tongue.] It's a memory of the past. Your past. Why do you think you're the only one who can hear me in the first place?

[He's only seen one time where that didn't happen, and it was in his own memory.]

[arosetowar]

I have been patient enough with you.

[Zoom...kinda zoom. It's an improvement, she supposes...]

[fatefulprincess]

Sorry. I've always been better with a blade than magic. Even then I didn't specialize in the healing arts.

[ Still doesn't! But the method she used? Can't be used by all. Sorry. ]

[euphemia]

Hurt me? No! He would never. [ Frowns. ] He's done nothing but take care of me here. Of each other.

[promisedtolive]

[ He lets out a laugh that sounds more like a sob. Of course she would make that mistake; Lelouch confirmed there is so much she doesn't know.

Without yet speaking, he gestures for her to follow him to somewhere more secluded -- if she believes he is Lelouch, hopefully she will humor him. Once safely around the corner, he sinks down to one knee before removing the mask. With his head bowed, all she can see is the top of his head. He squeezes his eyes shut against the threat of tears -- his eyes are burning, throat nearly closed. ]

... Euphy.

[promisedtolive]

[ ...

"She'll ask you about Kingsley."

Kingsley. Julius Kingsley.

He barely manages to tear the mask off his face before throwing up on the sidewalk. ]

[hatejakku]

[ He cannot express how much he does not want to get punched right now. But you've got his attention, anyway. Finn frowns, still on this side of terrified. ]

Then what do they wanna do? I'm not hurt. They should see to people that actually need it, right? I'll just be taking up room that someone else could use.

[ Totally not a weenie... He follows Okuyasu with his eyes but turns to struggle with Valli again. ] Let me go! You're gonna stretch it! It's not even my shirt!

[promisedtolive]

Do you not consider us adversaries? [ Answering a question with a question is a beginner's tactic, but he's learned a little from what she's asked. ]

[fatefulprincess]

Nice to meet you, Finn. Welcome, for what it's worth.

[ She looks up. Unfortunately, Corrin doesn't know these stars. Hasn't really had the time to look at them other than be appreciative. ]

That's not a bad idea. I'm pretty sure there's a group that does study sessions in the library.

[promisedtolive]

Maybe we're a little bit alike, then. [ Glancing back at the clinic, considering what the young woman is saying. ]

Can I ask your name?

[likewishes]

[ His shoes are safe. Lelouch has kind of stepped out of the way. Door still open.

Through the door, however, flies a Moogle. She spins and looks down. Mogya makes a face. ]

Did anyone stop and think about the poor Moogle that's going to have to clean this up, kupo?

[likewishes]

That's debatable.

[ Yeah he's not moving faster than this, Cornelia. Doesn't have the stamina for it. ]

[arosetowar]

No. [It's a lie.] You can't believe anything he says, Euphy. [Or anything he does.] He isn't--[Safe. Trustworthy.]--what he seems. [He's not who he once was.] Please. [She's begging.] Promise me you'll keep your distance from him. I know that you care about him--[Nobody could do what Lelouch has done to Euphy and still claim to care about their victim.]--and I understand the pain of what I'm asking of you, but please believe me when I say it's for your own good.

[fatefulprincess]

Corrin. Can I have yours?

[ He really should consider it! ]

[promisedtolive]

[ To be (helpful?) fair, it's mostly liquid and a bit of bile.

He wipes his mouth on the back of his glove and starts laughing. Quietly, but it's sounding a little unhinged. ]

Does she... know about FLEIJA as well? [ Gasping, between that awful cackling. ]

1/2

[euphemia]

[ A laugh? A sob? It was difficult to tell with the mask and its distortion, but she doesn't like his initial response regardless. Nevertheless, she doesn't protest when he seems to insist upon her following. Always with the need for discretion and privacy, and who was she to argue? ]

Lelouch? Nobody will know who you are.

[ If this was the reason for their relocating, then she wanted to that very clear. No one would understand. Wel, all except for one possibility. In fact, now that she found him, it seemed like a perfectly good time to bring up the fact that she did find Sister. One of which she intended to meet up with again at her assigned home. She knows Lelouch has a rather critical opinion about her, but ... ]

[ But... ]

...

[ He knelt. ]

[likewishes]

Is this a friend of yours, Lelouch?

[ Lelouch waves Mogya way for a moment. Then puts his hand on Suzaku's shoulder as he and the Moogle trade places. Sure it seems like he is going to be comforting. But he's not. Lelouch gives it a hard shake instead. ]

No. She doesn't. Now pull yourself together.

[arosetowar]

[Well she's not interested in perpetuating that tactic. Not right now, anyway.]

I have neither the cause to stand against the hero--[The word is spat out. Actor, more like. Self-imposed villain turned self-imposed saviour.]--who slew the demon tyrant, nor any intention to place the real Zero's sins on your shoulders.

[euphemia]

[ She didn't think anything else could stun her today. Not after Cornelia. That meeting felt like knives pulled from the heart; relief yet pain. But this? It felt worse. Burning hot with emotions made raw just by the sight of his top head. Her expression not only flushed but impossibly expressive with a kaleidoscope of emotions. This was not what she was expecting when the mask came off. She was expecting Lelouch. She was expecting to talk to Lelouch.

Yet instead, Zero turned into— ]

Su— .... Suzaku?

[arosetowar]

Is it, now?

[Come on, Lelouch. Surely even he can admit that she shows him more restraint than he deserves.]

[promisedtolive]

[ After a moment's consideration, he seems to relax. He lets the cape fall open to just show a small bag and no weapons. ]

Then we have no quarrel in our world, either. Your rebellion was helpful after the Emperor fell.

[sonoftenebrae]

[The only thing in the world Ravus wants right now is to be here with his sister, supporting her in her time of need. For too many years, they have been at odds with one another, and their reconciliation is bittersweet.

How dare an outsider intrude upon this moment. He leans forward to place a kiss on Lunafreya's hands, which are still curled around the ring, then rises to deal with the intruder, blinking back unshed tears of his own.]

The Oracle needs re- [He begins to snap, but pauses when he actually looks at the intruder. The servant...no, the prince... when? How? The room around them flicker momentarily, and Pryna stirs and whimpers.

Ravus's mind struggles to interpret the words, but his mind feels sluggish, turning the puzzle pieces around but failing to connect them into the larger picture. Anger comes easily to fill in the gaps in understanding.]

Leave! [He commands again.] Give my sister time to compose herself before you come barging in.

[Have some manners, Noctis. Lunafreya would not want her beloved to see her like this. She has worked so hard to maintain her strong facade in front of the people who rely on her.]

[likewishes]

[ Oh that's probably true. She could have probably have found a way to just kill him on the spot.

So what's Lelouch to do? Be quiet. Irritable. But quiet. ]