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

[hashtagdaddy]

[Gladio's really enjoying that smile when he processes the name given to him by the handsome stranger.

His own smile drops as his face pales.

No. No way.]

Y -- Your Majesty, I am ... Astrals. [Six, he is mortified. He's been flirting with his King, albeit a much younger version of said King, and ... oh fuck, his father cannot find out about this.]

Please forgive my inappropriateness. [Gladio bows his head as he makes the request, only looking up with his last words.]

Can we not tell my dad about this?

[regisrex]

Highness. [ Because this is the second time he's been addressed as Majesty and it definitely sends a chill down his bones, because it's too much of a certainty for him to rush it.

And Regis shakes his head. ]

Don't worry about it. Not even your father could object to an honest mistake.

You're Clarus's son, right?

[ Better to make sure he's got things right. ]

Also, tea or coffee?

[regalblaze]

If Ignis had more information to share about the entire situation, he would. Instead, he's stuck on the same thing and all native people he asked just repeated themselves like a broken record.

Regis doesn't need to worry- it's not a topic that would come up so casually considering the state of the things on their Star, especially the Crown City when Regis was still alive.

"There is something elegant about it. Perhaps I will look into it if given a chance."

[regalblaze]

[Ignis just chuckles and takes another sip of the coffee. There's no point if it gets cold.]

Ah, rest assured that I do not intend to leave the kitchen to pack of hungry coeurls. [The guys probably know how to cook simple stuff, but in their hurry to show off just how 'good they can actually do it', Ignis is afraid the kitchen will implode.]

They lend me a hand from time to time, but I am the one that's responsible for food.

[sonoftenebrae]

Ravus wipes his hand down his face, struggling for clarify after the tumultuous dreams he'd awoken from.

"Aiships cannot reach such altitudes," he says absently. He follows the child's gaze to the viewport. Sure enough, looking out, he sees stars and void, not the view he is accustomed to of sky with earth below.

"This should not be possible."

[warpstriking]

Regis can if he wants to. Noctis will only volunteer to help fish people out from the Dream Width.

Ah. He gave his dad a goal at least. That's...good?

"Planetside?" He clarifies, before continuing. "The Center staff will give you guys their own version of a welcome and explanation of our new circumstances." Something he finds unsatisfactory. "'Welcome to Vaikuntha. This'll be your new home.'" He waves it off. As if they now didn't have proof that some of them did go home now, eventually finding a way to do so. He wouldn't exist if Regis didn't.

If Regis were to ask, he could at least get some reassurances about those he can. But, hard to do when not asked in the first place.

[sonoftenebrae]

[Ravus frowns. It makes no sense to him. Did the people of this world really have no part in bringing them here, other than rescuing them after the fact?]

Yes, their administrator said as much. [And the pamphlets, so many pamphlets.]

Even you must get a job? How old are you, boy?

[sonoftenebrae]

People can be fought, leaders deposed. I am not so foolish as to think the world can ever be free from struggle.

[Still, if Eos could be as they have said, so much would be different. Not perfect, but better, he thinks.]

Your perspective has been enlightening. [That is, unfortunately, as close as he is going to get to saying 'Thank you for taking the time to share the lore of your world'.]

[gglosers]

[Its progress. Having a game plan is her motto for this, at least. Literally a game plan. ]

You should start choosing your allies. You know, the people you click with best? Makes teamwork easier on you in the long run. And you don't want to figure this out with people you can't work together with.

[gglosers]

At the mention of her name and credentials, Hana froze. It was the first time anyone seemed to respond to her name and presence as if they knew her. So far, the reaction was lack of knowledge or understanding of anything she was talking about. This was different.

"Uh, yeah. That's me!" She confirmed, brow arched and concern raised. In some cases knowing someone knew her might have been a good thing. But she isn't sure how to take that in this world. "Should I know you?"

[theirshield]

As Nunnally further encouraged her moogle, Brigitte couldn't help but smile. "On the bright side, despite the name and whole... aesthetic, they *did* tell me where to find the Paladin guild hall, so I'll be heading there. You're welcome to come along, if you'd like."

[theirshield]

"Well, probably not me." She blushed a bit at that, but hey, it's not like everyone was supposed to be famous. "But you should at least know *of* my father, and Godfather. They were both part of Overwatch."

Despite the fact that she was using the group to give Hana an idea of who she was, Brigitte didn't seem quite as star-struck by the idea of people in Overwatch as she was by the other woman. "Reinhardt is my godfather-and I squire under him-and Torbjorn is my father."

[littlemhigan]

"An Airship, huh? An....amphibious airship. Nothin' like that where I'm from; they're all either made fer war or shippin', not livin' long term. And none of 'em swim."

Castor is careful to watch Emerelda's face as her answer continues, marking how the girl chose her words.

"Complicated huh? 'S'alright. Ye don't owe anyone an answer ye don't wanna give."

[dreamsoftomorrow]

The usual... stuff?

[None of that sounded usual to him and it showed on his face. It wasn't that he wouldn't give people a chance or anything. He just... didn't know what to do right now.]

[dreamsoftomorrow]

Uh, no, not really. Just kind of went straight here after spending some time at the Curti Center.

[dreamsoftomorrow]

[He looks over at her slate to see the stored images, listening.]

Warriors of Light? Is that... us?

[Seemed like a hell of a glitch.]

[dreamsoftomorrow]

[He nodded.]

Guess I have something to look forward to, then. Thanks, Adrien.

[dreamsoftomorrow]

I...

[He paused, looking at her hand and at her face, back to her hand. Hesitant, not sure if he could trust her. But if what she said was true, it explained feeling like he was reliving thing and she was his only hope of escaping.

He took her hand.]

I'm Hope. What do I have to do?

[dreamsoftomorrow]

I'm not sure how you can do that if you're already here.

[A small smile. He may be the only one here from his home, but he wasn't the only one here period.]

[modelcivilian]

You're welcome, Hope. We'll be landing in a bit and you'll get the whole introduction from Cid, but if you have any other questions, I can try to answer them.

[righthandstand]

Not much to see anyway. They have decent stores you can buy food at and a beach.

[Though a tour of the house should be done before he can retreat to his room.]

Anyway, the kitchen's over there. Stairs to the basement are there. [Moves his hand in the general direction.] I should also warn you about my cat. Its...kinda weird, so don't freak out too much.

[gglosers]

She didn't look like anyone she knew from first glance, and now that she spoke of her in a tone that showed familiarity to who she was, she still wasn't sure if this was someone she should know. Yet at the mention of Overwatch and the familiar names who were associated with it, her eyes widened. She wasn't just from Earth, she was from her earth.

"You're the daughter of Torbjorn? And ... you know Reinhardt?" Recognizable names for their involvement with Overwatch before it was shut down. Though her recruitment was still new, she was familiar enough with them to recall some of their mentioned achievements. It felt surreal to be standing in front of someone who finally knew her world. Strange, even.

"I don't know what to say. This is ... weird."

[theirshield]

When it came down to it, it had to be more weird for Hana than it was for Brigitte. For her, at least, this was a relief-not only was there somebody from home (even if she'd never met her), but she'd been lucky enough to meet her right away.

"Well, I guess you don't really need to say anything. I can't believe I'm meeting you, but it's no weirder than-everything." Really, meeting a celebrity from home was a drop in the bucket. Though that led to her next question- "Do you still get to game here? I used to watch your streams a few years back, though I had to stop when we went on the road."

III

[shinra_dog]

[The ship had been crowded again on the return trip. Obviously Vaikuntha was not expecting this many newcomers, and not for a second time in a row. Reno hadn't seen everyone -- he couldn't have, and on top of that there was that awkward encounter with Cloud...]

[He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to sort through it all as he passed through the Curti Center after debrief. And then he heard a familiar voice... Someone he hadn't heard in years.]

[Reno started and looked around, finally turning to stare at the young boy once he'd found him.]

Hope?

[dreamsoftomorrow]

[The Moogle seemed to love hearing that, nodding again with Hope leaning his head back to avoid more pompom bops to his nose.]

Uh, sorry, Corrin. I'm Hope.

[He nodded.]

It's... just a lot to take in. And I know I'm not alone in this.

[But it could certainly feel like it with so many strangers, even if they were in the same position.]