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

[immortalmarshal]

"Cor. It's Cor," The older man corrected the Moogle almost immediately. He sighs and glances towards Ignis, even as he's led off to another, presumably quieter area. "And I do, yes...but they can wait until we're away from this crowd." Aka, where no one else could easily hear them.

Still, Cor's already a little more relaxed, now that he's with someone he knows and trusts from back home. He eagerly waits to receive any answers Ignis might have for him.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor briefly picks up on the various smells coming out of the cafeteria. Much of it's even familiar; a comforting thing to file away for later. He mentally takes in the size of the library, even as he follows Noctis towards that private study room.

Of course, he's also noticed one other thing on his royal companion, and it results in the first question to fly out of his mouth as soon as the door's closed behind them: "When did you get the Ring back?"

[regalblaze]

Whether the Moogle caught whatever Cor was yelling after him is left to be seen.

Ignis nods at the Marshal and follows after his Moogle, because he actually headed outside. "I will tell you everything I can. There are some... things that might shock you as well so..." Ignis trails off, his thoughts wandering to Lord Clarus and Nyx.

"Also, I suggest you visit doctor's office." He knows that suggestion like this just won't fly with Marshal so he adds, "You spent a lot of time floating in Dram Width. Doing a basic checkup can only help you."

[warpstriking]

It's a decent-sized library, though far smaller than what he's used to back home. A brief remembrance of how he and Ignis would get lost in the bookshelves as kids causes his eyes to brighten if only for a moment before they harden again at the question as the door closes behind them. He lowers his head, if only slightly, before forcing himself to keep looking forward. It never gets any easier to talk about, he's come to find. Even if he's only had to explain it twice before. Still, the question is telling.

"Few days after we arrived in Altissia," he starts, gesturing to the seats before taking a few steps closer to the one furthest from the door. An old habit, yet he doesn't remove the pack from his back just yet, remembering that Cor doesn't have a weapon here. He does. Even though he doubts trouble will come through the door, his nerves are still on edge after delving into all those memories.

Resting a hand on the back of the seat, he continues: "Luna- she returned it to me, after I received the Hydraen's blessing." Yet the way he says her name likely speaks more than his words.

[likewishes]

Hmmm. Usually from the start is a good place to begin.

[ Easier said than done. Lelouch knows this. He sighs. ]

I wish I knew.

[promisedtolive]

[ Good to know you are exactly as pedantic as he remembers.

Of course, it hasn't been that long for Lelouch at all. ]

It's been a year since the Requiem. The results are everything we could have hoped for for.

[likewishes]

[ Of course it hasn't been that long for Lelouch. To him, he had just died. More or less. ]

A year...

[ A whole year since the Requiem. Lelouch wishes he could see it. But that's the point, isn't it? He'll never be able to. ]

Everyone is at peace then?

[promisedtolive]

There are some pockets of resistance in places, but they're negotiating. [ Rests his arms on the table, leaning forward. ]

People are making the effort.

[likewishes]

Not quite what I hoped, but effort. I'll take it.

[ Because that means people are at least willing to try. Speaking. Not fighting. That's something. ]

[spaceforged]

It’s alright. This is the sort of situation most people will lose it for a little while. [He sure as hell politely lost it for a little bit. Most people he knows also danced on the edge. Shiro grins a little sheepishly.] You certainly wouldn’t be the first.

And I don’t know. I didn’t ask but I assume no. Not yet at least. At the rate things are happening it is possible that will change.

[He glances at Finn with a raised eyebrow. There are a lot of pieces to put together.] How about we move this talk to the hall or the lounge. We’re under way so no one will be coming or going on retrieval.

C!

[rivieran]

[ Though it had already been several days since the Dream Width debacle, it still weighs heavily on Ena's mind. The woman in question is presently very occupied in thinking about all things related to Vaikuntha's astronomy. She sits in the Research Section of the Curti Center, on one of the benches opposite one of the astronomy exhibits with a well-worn notepad sitting on her lap. She's staring down at her notes, lost in her own thoughts.

So of course she is very surprised to look up and see a body—Finn, blocking her view. Where did this person come from? She makes a little noise in offense, leaning to the side to not only look at what she wanted to see in the exhibit, but also to catch a glimpse at this rude individual. I mean, she was obviously very busy looking at that very display— ]

Excuse me?

[arosetowar]

Have any investigations been launched into their origins?

[arosetowar]

[No, she wants to say. He doesn't deserve to be in your presence. He might react badly. Please don't put yourself in harm's way again. If she has learned anything from the events leading up to the SAZ massacre, however, it is that Euphy's free-spirited will is too strong for anyone to limit, and Cornelia has already succeeded enough by getting Euphy to agree to break her own damned heart and part ways with Lelouch.]

[There are ways to monitor the situation, she supposes. To give Euphy her support. To be present not as an obstacle, but rather as the sister who should have been a year earlier when she had left Euphy with no choice but to act behind her back.]

[She can test the waters, at the very least. Tentatively, she asks,]

For what purpose?

[arosetowar]

[For the time being, yes, she would have. Suzaku is a better check against Lelouch's lies than vice versa, and she has yet to speak with the latter. Besides which, her sole concern is for Euphy's safety. Nothing Suzaku has done either as Euphy's knight, or as a Rounds, or even as the Knight of Zero overrides the fact that aside from herself, he was the only one who still believed in Euphy—who still fought for and attempted to protect her—as everything went to hell.]

[She doesn't look surprised when he removes the mask. Bitter, rather. Distrusting. Resentful. Despite how sickly he looks, no part of her is inclined towards being gentle or empathetic, as she still struggles not to see him as anything other than arrogant and power-hungry. Wasting no time, she asks,]

When did you begin collaborating with Lelouch?

[euphemia]

[ A frown, a small one. It turns neutral quickly enough. ]

I don't want him to worry about me. It would be rude if I simply left without a word and only a written notice.

[ Looks off. ] We've been living together here, Sister. At least let me ... explain.

[conniemaheswaran]

"It's... hard to explain." Connie purses her lips, wringing her hands. How could she explain fusion to a well-intentioned adult without making it seem weird? Plus, Cornelia hadn't been exposed to Vaikunthan weirdness yet, so she might question magic's existence depending on her exposure to such things on her own world.

"The memory was before everything got... complicated. Before the abductions, before the Cluster, before the handship, before even Peridot... I didn't even know anything about the kind of trouble my planet was in back then. I didn't even know how to fight. It was just a nice night on the beach." Smiling ruefully, Connie shakes her head. "The best night of my life, really. I'd be lying if I said if it didn't also get complicated, but that's part of why it was so great, really."

[arosetowar]

[He's nervous. Lelouch, the boy who killed Clovis in cold blood. Who shamelessly ordered Euphy to commit massacre then shot her dead. Whose reign as Emperor was empowered by destroyed wills and spilt blood. Nervous.]

[Cornelia is not.]

[It isn't that she trusts the boys; on the contrary, she is well aware that Lelouch could have shaped their conversation towards this outcome. Neither does she assume that she can handle them easily should they take aggressive action against her. Rather, it's that as Zero, Suzaku has an image to maintain—an image which will all but vanish if he harms her out of turn. Likewise, she assumes that Lelouch is unlikely to initiate anything.]

[She watches Suzaku leave, then takes a seat at the dining table and motions for Lelouch to join her.]

Sit.

[sonoftenebrae]

[The room around them flickers momentarily as Noctis’s words trigger another, more distant memory in Ravus’ mind. The receiving room morphs into a forest clearing engulfed in flames, Lunafreya replaced by another blond woman, this one crumpled and covered by a regal feathered cloak.]

No. [Ravus hisses, shaking his head. The room in Altissia reappears through a force of will. Ravus turns to Noctis, finally realizing that the prince might hold the answer. He forces himself to think back over his words even as Lunafreya begins again. I beg of you...]

...what is going on?

[chocobosnap]

"Hey!" Prompto offered cheerfully, but he didn't let go of his arm, just in case he lost him in the Dream Width.

"Um, look this is not reality. I can explain. On the ship I mean. Airship."

Prompto tended to ramble when he was nervous and Cor probably already knew that about him. He was an intimidating man, after all.

"So just hang on?" He smiled. He seemed to kick off of something, it wouldn't be more than a few steps to the airship. Prompto wasn't going to let go, at least until it was safe.

[arosetowar]

[Living together. Not just spending time together. Sharing a home, sharing a life. As if nothing had happened between them. As if Lelouch sees Euphy was anything more than a tool.]

[Cornelia has to hold herself back from telling her the truth of who Lelouch is, of what he has done. It's too dangerous. For whatever reason, Lelouch is content to let Euphy believe that he still loves her, and Cornelia worries how drastically that might change if he's no longer in a position to manipulate her. No, she needs to be patient. Deliberate. She needs to be more confident in Euphy's safety. Then, she will make matters clear.]

[First, however, she must distract Lelouch away from Euphy--she must become the lone obstacle to whatever his intentions are. Which means that Euphy must be allowed to act as herself this one, final time.]

Very well. I will allow it on two conditions. One, you will hold your meeting somewhere public where I can observe you from afar; and two, you will make it clear to him that this is my doing and that we are not of the same mind.

[hatejakku]

[ He blinks at the name. One of his old squadmates was called Zeroes, the only one he hadn't seen since the Finalizer. This isn't the same guy, obviously. Not the same voice, and Finn would have been recognized by now. He just hates this place. ]

My name's Finn.

We're being taken from our... homes. I get that. I do. How are they taking people from different points in time? Assuming that is Antilles.

[spaceforged]

No. We only got coordinates for people and objects in the Dream Width. Everything and everyone we find...all their information will be discussed at the Curti Center. We're heading back but it will be a while before we arrive.

And yes, people from your reality's past could be here. Or arrive with the next group. I think we've had enough evidence to believe in that. [It worries him and he glances over the cots thoughtfully.]

I could help you search this ship if you'd like to check for them now.

[hatejakku]

There's Summoners here, though, aren't there? Or, I mean, I saw that there was a guild.

[ Just a note, it never once crossed his mind that Summoners summon things like what. ]

Cute little thing, though. You're doing a great job.

[ He's trying to figure out what the appropriate conversation here is. Help. He feels so awkward. ]

[hatejakku]

[ He's just gonna... wander over to the kitchen and get you a glass of water. Something to do! He can handle that. And he hands over the glass when he gets back. ]

That one with the two guys that should be over sixty years old and telling everyone not to panic because they're flying the ship? Yeah, they showed it.

[ He's totally fine. No one asked, but he's completely fine. ]

[likewishes]

Not just yet.

[ He can't sit. Yes, he is nervous. Only a fool wouldn't be. It's not like he has a plan for any of this. Cornelia. Being here. It's so far out of the scope of his schemes that he has nothing prepared. This isn't his usual set of conditions. No, this is venturing into the unknown and he hates that. ]

Being on guard is the last thing you want, isn't it? [ He rolls his eyes. With Suzaku close at least he's a little at ease. Not much. ] How much have you pieced together, Cornelia?