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

[promisedtolive]

[ The mask obviously makes it difficult to tell, but his body language fails to convey any understanding. ]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar. What rebellion?

D

[euphemia]

[ She's no Nurse of the Curti Center clinic, but she volunteers when necessary. Anything to get as much as experience needed for her eventual employment as a nurse elsewhere. Whatever experience she can gain from being a White Mage and fulfilling her purpose at aiding everyone who might need it, including the new arrivals.

So far, her only task has been answering any questions that the natives have not already answered and highly encouraging any that thought the clinic was unnecessary to listen to their moogle and do so. Of course, when her attention turns to the one who thought to zoom right by, she doesn't hesitate to address the back of the cloaked figure firmly. ]

Sir! You really should consider visiting the clinic. It's vital if you're a new arrival!

[promisedtolive]

[ He grips Lelouch's arm, stopping short, despite agreeing they need more privacy to talk. ]

What clothes, Lelouch? [ Trying so hard to swallow down the feeling of panic. ]

[arosetowar]

[It's not easy to get a read on him like this, mask on, cape tight and concealing his hands. There is something in the distance he maintains, though, in the way he doesn't move any further into the house. Is he awaiting invitation? Punishment? She rises to her feet but doesn't move towards him.]

You assume correctly. The room on the left is yours.

[Her voice is cold and rough but also slightly toying. This won't be as easy as her directions suggest; it is, after all, a test.]

[promisedtolive]

[ He goes very, very still.

He's never had any "powers" or "magic". But he has... ]

How would you discern that?

[righthandstand]

[That was worth a shot. Okuyasu saunters over, hands deep in his pockets and slouching.]

You don't got anything on ya when you show up. Look, if you need help gettin' through those doors, I can help.

[He's not taking the effort to make it not sound like a threat.]

[conniemaheswaran]

Connie brushes a stray lock of hair out of her face. "Um, well..." she looks away. It would be weird to vent to a nameless stranger about all this, but she couldn't talk to Futaba, and Papyrus was busy and she had no idea where Hunk was and screw it she at least looked kinda friendly and Connie really needed to get some stuff off her chest.

"...not really. I, uh, ran into some pretty messed-up stuff in the Dream Width when I was up there rescuing the new arrivals. It's kinda funny, though. What hurt the worst wasn't seeing everybody else's bad memories. It was being yanked out of my happy one."

[arosetowar]

[Is polite! Doesn't watch his screen.]

How useful is the network for organising information or planning widescale operations?

[She does not settle.]

[arosetowar]

It's Zero.

[Turns away! Towards the exist.]

Let's not waste any more time.

[likewishes]

[ Unfortunately, words aren't easily coming to Lelouch at the moment. Just... A painful expression aimed at Suzaku. He can grip that noodle arm all he wants. It's not going to hurt Lelouch as much as that moment had. ]

[hatejakku]

[ Okay. No, okay. This is fine. He's in a new place where everyone else is from a different place. He gets that. Being pulled out of life is weird but okay, he can get it. ]

The Rebellion from forty years ago.

[ How is he-? How are they-? ]

This makes no sense. [ And he's totally not going to panic. Maybe he should stop pointing at the holograms, though. ]

[likewishes]

And you don't think that might be a problem?

[ It is! But also isn't. Suzaku is his ally, yes. Something like a friend. But speaking plainly isn't... That won't end well if he is there. ]

[fatefulprincess]

That's why I'm saying it might be a good idea to see the healers. I mean you could try on your own, like I did. But I think they'd be better suited?

[euphemia]

[ Well, that was an interesting reaction so far. However, she's not really all that surprised. It's very likely that Cornelia eventually came to learn who Zero was. That's all she can guess from her response. Or maybe it's just genuine shock? So uncertain. ]

Yes. [ Quiet. Does she even dare say how he arrived? No, let's. Let's not go down that vivid memory lane again. Wincing slightly. ] We've been here for close to two months?

lol it's all right. i used "thing" like 80 times in my last comment. we're even

[hatejakku]

[ Fin has so many questions. He's overflowing with questions. His mind is also blank, and he's out of fumes to run on for the day. And he thought the Supremacy was exhausting. ]

Can I ask what you're working on?

[ Because that seems more immediate. Might as well get to know his new roommates, anyway. ]

[promisedtolive]

[ If he were a kinder, better person, he would keep walking. To spare her his presence as long as possible.

But he's never been able to ignore her. And it does not help she uses the authoritative, confident tone that he watched her make her own. One of the many, many things he found so compelling and wonderful about her.

His heart hammers so hard in his chest he is half afraid it will burst. Her beautiful, ghastly pale and lifeless face has haunted his nightmares for two years, interspersed with her smile of gratitude when he told her everything was all right, and with her hands grasping for him while she asked to remind her if he was Japanese.

But she's here. She's alive. He can't help turn around to see her. And he is momentarily grateful (coward) for hiding his face behind Zero's mask. ]

[hatejakku]

[ Please don't wear that.

He closes the door behind the girl and follows her inside. ]

Ren didn't say. [ Finn didn't really ask, recluse that he is. ] Can I get you anything? We have- [ He has no idea what they have. ] -... water?

[arosetowar]

Out of everything Connie says, only Dream Width really registers. Cornelia doesn't recall having been rescued, only waking up on the ship. She witnessed no strangers' memories and experienced none of her own, at least not to an extent where she needed to be yanked free of them. It's more information to take in; it's more questions she cannot answer. And to ask for elaboration feels selfish when faced with a child who needs to speak.

She leans fowards and asks, "What was the memory?"

[sonoftenebrae]

[Ravus and Estoc both turn to Ignis and his moogle. Estoc tries to stealthily point to Ravus, then the house, and gives Ignis and Ebony a wink. Help a moogle-friend out?

Ravus, for his part, stops actively sulking in his moogle's direction. Ignis is a rarity, a Lucian that he respects and he probably owes it to him to not act like a child in front of him.]

...Ignis. You look...well. [It is unexpected, considering the man's state last they parted.]

[arosetowar]

Does he not understand discretion? Will he not leave upon the request for privacy?

[hatejakku]

[ Finn startles at the new voice, his mind off in its own little world. He blinks and registers what she was saying.

Then lets out a humorless laugh. ]

Yeah, it's- That's kind of an understatement. Are you new here, too?

Haha, alright!

[pishirogane]

[That's... not what she expected. But, if he wants to know.]

It's a endoskeleton for a puppet. One of my... friends here uses the Puppeteer Asterisk so I thought it might be a good gift after some recent events. It needs to be proportional to the carbuncle doll which is why I have it sitting on the table. [Since there's only the teal doll on the table, likely what she's referring to.]

[likewishes]

...What makes you think that I would know?

[ What do you know, Cornelia. ]

[hatejakku]

[ ... Was that a threat!?

He uses one hand to wave off the, uh, offer while still digging his feet in the ground. ]

No, no. I'm fine. Don't bother yourself. I don't need any help. I'm good.

[promisedtolive]

[ He won't mock her by thinking this would be a simple greeting and retreat to his room. All he can do is square his shoulders, and engage. He steps fully into the house, letting the door close behind him. ]

I have no quarrel with you here. [ Lelouch would not approve, and he can't hurt Euphy any more. ]