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

[euphemia]

[ What? Huh The entire time Cornelia addressed her, all she could do was stand conflicted. So she knew. This was the Cornelia who perhaps eventually learned that Zero was Lelouch all along. That's all she can assume from the direct and familiar sharpness of her sister's feelings towards those who might threaten her, like Zero. Like the Black Knights. This was a familiar reaction, but over Lelouch? Yes, it had to be. But would anything she say here change that opinion? ]

Sister...

[ This was really difficult to ask. For close to two months, she knew nothing but slight bliss. Yes, it was awkward trying to pretend like she didn't know she died. That she didn't see Lelouch also died. And that there were a lot of unanswered questions about their fates. But ignorance is bliss, as they say, and she was content to let it be that way until ... until now. ]

...

[promisedtolive]

I'm so sorry, Euphy. I'm so, so sorry.

[ Speaking with Lelouch had broken enough inside him that he doesn't lose himself in front of her. Doesn't babble or break down at the sound of his (former) name said in such a way.

But there's nothing he can even begin to say before the apology tumbles out. Apologies for not protecting her. For lying to her. For not finding a way to keep her from dying. For every awful thing he did using her name as justification. For not being anything resembling the man she thought he was. ]

[promisedtolive]

[ The shake does stop the laughter. But his expression is stricken. He squeezes his eyes shut and tries to breathe. Lelouch is right, he... has to get himself under control.

The small creature speaking to Lelouch provides a thread for distraction, and he takes it. He opens his eyes to look at it, focus on it, and incline his head toward it. ]

Please forgive me.

[warpstriking]

[He understands. Really, he does. If he had the opportunity, he's go back just to spend time with his father again. Actually talk to him more and not try to shrug it off. Yet that is the past, and he cannot. It's the future he has to keep his eyes set on.]

I understand, but I was here the entire time, Ravus. [He has to point it out.] Don't you think it's odd that she didn't react to me being here?

[He hates this, talking about Luna not being here even though they can both clearly see her. Even though he knows she won't notice, it still gets him to wince. Pain in his eyes at seeing her like this yet he can't- he can't bring himself to either come closer, or move away. So instead, he averts his gaze.]

My father left you all once. I'm not leaving, now.

[promisedtolive]

[ Okay fine. Later. ]

I am called Zero. It's a pleasure to meet you, Corrin.

[euphemia]

[ Never in her life did she ever think a punch could be felt emotionally but today did her a good solid in the most literal sense. The trip to the Dream Width brought surprises on its return voyage. A reunion with her sister, and now with her Knight. Or was he a Knight anymore? No, not from the looks of it. This was Zero. And Zero was talking to her? No, it was Suzaku. This was Suzaku. In Zero's outfit. Why was he in Zero's outfit? Why was he in Zero's outfit and apologizing? Apologizing? Why was he apologizing at all?

What did he ever do wrong except not exist in this world? ]

Suzaku...

[ More than anything she wants nothing more than to throw her arms around him. And she nearly does it. It takes everything to fight that urge as her arms pull back. Even here, is it really appropriate? So ... she lowers to sit on her own knees before him. She's not wearing anything fancy so she can do it. It made it easier to reach a hand over and place it on top of one of his. ]

It's ... okay. [ Because she missed him so much and— ] It'll be alright. You don't have to explain. [ Not yet. Not until her brain can process. Because he's here and he's Zero and... ]

[modelcivilian]

It works well enough. Though, there seems to be the occasional technical difficulties like audio and visual distortions or colors being off.

[likewishes]

[ Lelouch sighs. It's a lot to take in. He knows this. Lelouch shouldn't expect Suzaku to hold it together. Seeing the dead alive? It's got to shake him to his core. ]

Let's get you inside.


[ Trying to shoo Suzaku inside. Mogya looks just a little concerned. ]

Don't worry about it, kupo. Maybe you should go inside?

[arosetowar]

[Is unimpressed by the Zero-speak and gives him a look which makes that very clear.]

Spare me your praises. The act as well. I want your honesty or nothing at all.

[promiselisting]

Sure, I guess.

[ He's doing his best and she can... appreciate that? Goodness only knew she'd been kind of... scattered, when she'd gotten here. And bad at starting conversations. ... she's still bad at starting conversations, honestly. ]

They still playing that one video when they pick you up?

[ The absolutely-not-reassuring "don't panic, just trust us you'll get answers" one. ]

[arosetowar]

[Cool, I guess we're fast-forwarding to the cabin then? Unlocks the door, opens the door, gestures through the door.]

Get in.

[fatefulprincess]

Zero? Welcome then, Zero. I really think you should reconsider the medical visit. But I won't force you to.

[ A shrug is followed by a smile. ]

If you have a question, I can try to answer it.

[promisedtolive]

[ Thank the gods he still has his gloves on, or the touch of her hand would make him recoil. As it is, he has to suppress the flinch at her getting even that close to his filthy hands. ]

I'm so glad you're all right. [ He lifts his head, a little, and forces himself to look at her despite every shred of him screaming he's unworthy. He is pale and thin, with dark circles under his eyes. Gods, she looks healthy and whole, worried and sad, but full of color and life.

A tear streaks down his cheek before he can stop it. His smile is like a gash, but he can't stop that either. ] I'm so glad.

[arosetowar]

I apologise, but I must insist. You cannot associate with him any longer. Please understand.

[She can't force her to agree. She can't stop her from lying. She can only hope that Euphy will understand that she wouldn't have asked if she didn't have cause to believe that Lelouch is capable of causing her harm. That every act of his kindness could be manipulative.]

[arosetowar]

Are the moogles not supposed to prevent such occurrences?

[likewishes]

Those are terrifying words...

[ He doesn't like where this is going. Nope. Nope, nope. It's like a trap. And to think Buttons is at home.

With a sense of dread, Lelouch steps through the door. ]

[modelcivilian]

They are, but considering what happens sometimes when there's a major glitch, it wouldn't be weird to think someone or something's purposely causing them.

[euphemia]

Of course, sister. I ...

[ —don't understand. Wants to say she's wrong. Wants to turn away? Just when everything felt okay now it felt weird an strange. But the last time she fought against her sister, she ended up without. She can't go back to that again. Never. She knows it will be hard to do, but at least she knows Lelouch is alive and okay. She can manage this for a short time until she can prove to her sister that Lelouch is okay. Yes. She'll do it. ]

I understand.

[pishirogane]

Yes. All I have are some images and the doll.

[She nods again when he points at the doll.] They're apparently companion creatures for Summoners. I doubt many have seen a real one in person.

[promisedtolive]

[ In their world, he is aware some people might know his identity. But all of them seem to understand his purpose enough to keep it to themselves. Proof, really, that Lelouch managed a miracle -- enough people bought into it to maintain the illusion.

In their world, he would refuse to remove his mask. But the circumstances are somewhat different. And it's clear she already knows. ]

I wonder if you'd really accept nothing. [ The little motors in the mask whir as it releases the back of his head; he reaches up to take it off, looking at her with dull, exhausted eyes. ]

[arosetowar]

What major glitches?

[arosetowar]

[Reaches to cup her face, running her thumb along her cheek.]

I wish I didn't have to ask this of you. [And she does, more than Euphy will ever realise.] Thank you for understanding.

[promisedtolive]

[ He has been slowly pacing around the living room, working off excess energy as he emulates Cornelia from the night before. The iMog and mognet are a wealth of information, and he has lost track of time skimming through the databases.

Only recognizing the voices outside the door keep him from donning the Zero mask. He immediately raises an eyebrow in Lelouch's direction as the pair enter. ]

This is unexpected. [ Tucks a bit of hair behind his ear. Are you all right? ]

[euphemia]

[ This hurts. On a different level of pain from her sister who she missed more than life itself. Yet this pain was brutal because of the state Suzaku was in. Tears, he was in tears. And for a moment, her memory jolts just for a second when she last recalls that. A brief memory. A somber memory. The last time she recalls this she couldn't see his face at all. All she had was his voice. That strained, pained voice. Just like right now. No wonder he sounded like that on that uneventful day.

He was crying when she passed. ]

...Suzaku. [ Manners and properness be damned because even if he was Zero, there was no reason she couldn't throw her arms around his neck for a sudden and impulsive embrace. Can she at least have that? It will likely be the only time it might be permitted from the way things were shaping out. ]

It's okay. We can go to school now. I enrolled in a school, and ... and we can finish school together maybe? Wouldn't that be wonderful?

[likewishes]

[ Suzaku. Not Zero. Suzaku. So Cornelia knows about this too. So much for some of their secrets, hmm? Better and better. ]

In more ways that I could predict.

[ He fusses with one of his sleeves. Be careful. Lelouch chances a quick glance in Cornelia's direction. He can't predict her actions. Hence the wariness. However he is willing to be here. ]