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

Jobs

[remnantofzeboim]

[Emeralda was on her way back from getting hers, in fact, and had stopped to look at something when the girl next to her addressed. The green haired girl wasn't expecting that, but after a second she rolled with it, smiling.]

Emeralda is Berserker!

[She said with a grin. And indeed, she had a big ol' axe strapped to her back now. It looked almost as big as she was, honestly...]

[chocobuster]

[seeing Hope approaching, Kumo flutters back a little, only briefly waving at the Moogle atop the boy's head. he wasn't too hurt, maybe it'd take some time before Cloud trusted him, after all.

as for the man in question, he blinks down at the young man, seemingly new to this world as well. half a frown mars his lips as he muses over his options. thinking about it... it wasn't like there'd be any harm from a simple check-up. but at the same time, without his weapons or any kind of Materia for even spell casting, he was thoroughly defenceless besides his fists. of which for some reason he felt...weaker. it was difficult to explain.

he didn't expect Hope to understand why he felt the way that he did. but that was just it... why would he hold it against him and reject what could be genuine help when he wasn't even going to share to begin with? with a slouch of his shoulders and a huff, shaking his head, Cloud's bright blue gaze returns to Hope once more]

I'll skip on the needle, but...guess it wouldn't hurt. [before he decides to head in however, his gaze briefly looks the boy up and down. his clothes were a lot different from the type of wears he usually saw back home. different planets... was that it? what Cid told them? it was still a lot to take in. but part of him also couldn't believe it took the advice of a kid to calm him down. even a little] What about you? You new here too?

onion soup mix godlike for steak tho

[chocobuster]

[he almost felt like apologizing again. what he said really hurt her just now... his own heart felt heavier, how the uncertainty of his own fate made it so difficult to decide how to handle this girl. when she speaks again, the flatter expression on her face was enough for him. it was awkward, and now Cloud was stuck there rubbing the back of his head nervously before letting out a light huff, sighing]

I guess so.

[her next question caught him by surprise however. and for a moment, a familiar look of genuine surprise reflects in those mako blue eyes of his, his guard seemingly slipping around Selphie, even if it was only a modicum.]

Friends... [no. she was right. allies was more appropriate. but if she knew who he was, or someone just like him... Cloud wasn't going to accept that she was part of his own reality. not the one that Tifa fought so hard for him to take back. still... the suggestion reminds him all too well of the weariness he feels as his gaze falters only for a moment] Maybe...yeah.

If this isn't some game...it's a little... [bit much to take in? if Selphie has any ideas of where to go, he'll follow her]

[promisedtolive]

[ The edges of the wings in the pin dig into his fingers -- a reminder of so many things. ]

I would be happy to visit. [ As soon as he knows where he is winding up, and skirts the check-up as much as he can. Now that she's asked him to submit to it, he will have to. But his expression shifts slightly, so a softer sadness as she speaks around the name of the person she lives with.

There really can only be one person she's talking about. He imagines she would be more open with any other name, since she doesn't know. ]

Is it Lelouch? If it is, I'm glad you have had each other. [ As sad or difficult it must have been, he's grateful neither of them has been alone. ]

[chocobuster]

"Hey, what're you laughing at, kupo? This baby's top notch!"

[somebody was proud of their pompom. Cloud blinks up at his Moogle as the two interacted before turning back to the young man greeting him.]

Oh. Yeah. Don't worry about it. [Kumo would have to get over himself and his style sooner or later] Guess everybody gets a Mog.

"Moogle!"

[modelcivilian]

Hmm... Oh. If you have any unique personal items or powers, they don't cross over the Dream Width well. Biggs and Wedge might find items occasionally, but if magic was common in your world, you have to join the Guild here and get the Asterisk before you can use magic again.

[chocobuster]

[when Euphemia blinked at him with that flicker of bemusement in her eyes, Cloud's own expression broadens a little. was it something he said? before he can ask, her soft laughter cuts whatever tension (if any) was left. even if the small frown he gave in response was weakened by that dust of pink in his cheeks.] Yeah... [aaand he's over it, frown gone] You too, Euphy.

...

[she wasn't wrong. it was the first time in years that he felt like a completely different person, the right person. and there was nobody he knew. he doesn't have the strength or heart to reject her. so he lightly shrugs his shoulders before following her towards the clinic, only to slowly catch up to walk in stride with her.]

I won't stop you.

[hatejakku]

[ He glances at her iMog Slate. Truth be told, he hadn't fiddled around much with his own yet. He didn't bother to be nosy over what she was doing, though. ]

I'm sorry. That sounds a lot more personal than my situation. [ More immediate, at least. ] How do you guys handle it?

[dreamsoftomorrow]

[Mogki waved back, a lollipop in one hand. Hope gave it to him since the boy didn't want it.

Cloud might find it surprising, if he asked, that Hope would know a bit of what he was talking about when feeling weaker. Hope had grown used to his l'Cie abilities and he could feel the difference without them. He felt like he was before the whole business happened. It was disconcerting even if he had wished he could stop being a l'Cie, so he would be without the threat of turning Cei'th. ]

The nurses are pretty nice, I'm sure they'll let you skip the vaccine if you ask. Didn't really bother me.

You didn't even look at the needle, kupo!

[He sighed and rolled his eyes. He didn't like needles, no, but he could take shots as long as he didn't look.]

Anyway. Yes, I'm new. Only one from my world so far. [He reached up to rub his arm a bit, it was still sore from the shot. It was the same arm his brand was on, the nurses had commented on it, but he didn't really talk about it to them.] What about you? Anyone you know here?

[dreamsoftomorrow]

[The nurse steps forward to lead him to one of the cots, so she could take his temperature and ask the usual doctor questions.

As promised, Hope didn't leave.]

Are you okay with shots? They have one with a few vaccines, just to make sure you don't catch anything from the native population here.

[Mogki flutters off to get another lollipop.]

[chefbayardee]

A robot with hair is cool, Emeralda! [ He gasps, and brings a hand up towards his chin in thought. The Voltron Lions should have hair, what kind of lions don't have manes? Maybe he can convince Shiro to let him make some modifications to the Black Lion. At least that was his thought until he snapped back to reality. ]

But, wait, you said you can change your hair? [ Maybe she was enamored with hair dye. And if Kim liked the hair color, Emeralda might be a nickname. But it's no big deal. Whatever she does to her hair is what he wants to hear about! ] Like... the color?

[promisedtolive]

What right...? [ He shakes his head. ] The people made Zero what he was -- at first the Japanese and then, gradually, people all over the world.

The world's at peace, now, or getting close. And that motivation by the people of the world to try and further that peace is what gives Zero his support. My role in all this is to protect those wishes. [ Lelouch's wish for a peaceful world, and everyone else's. ]

[saint_sami]

"Hmm... maybe I can change that..." she mused.

[promisedtolive]

Thank you. [ Tilts his head to one side. ]

What sort of work do you do?

[saint_sami]

"Hm? WOAH! A-Ah, I mean... h-hi!" Sasami offered Papyrus a sheepish smile over her freak out, blushing in embarrassment over. "S-Sorry, didn't expect anything like you to come up, but... well... yeah. I just feel... lost. New world, no one I know is here and... well... I feel like I lost a part of me."

[nanaimo_bar]

"T'would be wise then to start out with a small venture before making a larger one," mused Nanamo with a nod.

[hatejakku]

[ Valli watches Mogki float away.

Meanwhile, Finn's eyes get a little bigger. ] There are shots. [ Of course there's shots. But he's not scared of needles anyway. And it's just vaccines. Hopefully. The story definitely checks out anyway, and he doesn't want to get anyone sick or get himself sick. ] Yeah, I'm good.

[ He's trying to juggle the idea of telling them about his back. It's not like he has plans to return to the clinic. ] So, um. When you did all this, they didn't find anything? What do they do if they find out someone's carrying something? Not that I am, because I'm not as far as I know.

[ Valli, unconcerned, follows Mogki to the candy. ]

[remnantofzeboim]

[Emeralda just smiled brightly. Cool was clearly good, she decided, even if she had no idea what it actually meant.]

Yes! Very cool!

[And then she shook her head, reaching up with one hand to grasp a chunk of her hair and at it as if she were irritated with it.]

No, hair change! Into hammer or axe or spikes. Hands too. Feet. But can't here. Stuck.

[chocobuster]

[Mogki's remark about how Hope handled the needle was almost enough to get a smirk out of Cloud. but at least his expression softened. to that and Hope's question, the blond begins to walk again, this time heading back in the direction of the clinic. but he stops before passing by the young white-haired boy when he asks him about who was here.]

...

[he shakes his head, but keeps his head up all the same]

Nobody. [but there was...] But apparently people know me here. People that I've never even met.

[saint_sami]

"...how so?" Sasami asked, tilting her head.

[immortalmarshal]

Astrals... He looks and sounds exactly like Cor remembered him, from all those years ago when the Marshall was just a (very) young Crownsguard. It's very hard for him to keep his emotions in check, especially after his earlier reunion with Clarus.

But he manages a small nod of acknowledgement. "...Your Highness. It's good to see you again." That genuine affection and truth shows in his soft, quiet voice.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor grunts his disapproval of Prompto not remembering all the facts, but he's still adjusting to the whole notion of 'Not being on their home star anymore' to have much of a heart to scold him. Much. "Make a note to plug in that whole in your world knowledge, first chance you have."

He's not surprised to hear that Noct and Ignis would be here. He'd be genuinely worried if the blonde wasn't anywhere near their young king. But it's the 'Lord' that makes him freeze - almost to the point of almost not noticing the other two names.

"...Clarus? How...? All the report I got confirmed that he died that night."

[promisedtolive]

I appreciate the consideration. [ Tone is mild, kind. ]

I have so many questions I'm not sure where to start. Have you been here long?

[dreamsoftomorrow]

[Well, at least Cloud is going back. He tilted his head up at him at that.]

People you've never met know you here? That... doesn't really seem possible.

[Not that he's doubting Cloud. Just the whole concept seemed far-fetched and strange.]

You sure you just didn't forget them, kupo?

[nanaimo_bar]

"Opening a full restaurant without seed money is a foolish task, but if you open a smaller stand first rather than a full dining area, then your chances will succeed more readily, being you do not have to seed the amount of staff or money in the first place," said Nanamo.