melodiesofeternity | Introduction Log || It's Happening Again (Again!)

Entry tags:

Introduction Log || It's Happening Again (Again!)

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It's a bit hard not to take note of the group being escorted through. New arrivals? Probably, given the fuss. There are a bunch of Moogles he's never seen and more faces likewise. While it's so, so tempting to just follow the group and check out everyone that could have been brought here for potential threats...

That's actually not what he's here to do. The angry cry of the furball at his ankles sees to that. The otter is hungry and that's actually what Lelouch is out there to do. With an irritated huff, he takes a side long glance at the group before walking away. Otter following behind at his heels. ]

[ He doesn't have the connection to Lelouch that C.C. does. There's no supernatural force telling him that he's there. However, he would know any part of him, anywhere.

He sees the back of him, and an irritated hand gesture toward a small animal on the ground--

His heart feels like it's stopped. He can't breathe. What is... how can this happen?

Without even pausing to think it could be a hallucination, or some kind of trap, he breaks off from the group to follow that back. He reaches out to grab his shoulder--

But he can't. He can't he can't what if it's not real?

But he's walking away, still. Back out of reach. No no that won't work, he has to-- ]

Lelouch.

[ His voice is strangled, rough, and dry from disuse. But he gets the name out. ]

[ Not that Suzaku would have had much luck with that hand. Upon reaching out for Lelouch that pet otter had already been scrambling up. On a shoulder. Teeth bared and whatever the equivalent of an otter hissing/snarling might be.

That's not really what gets Lelouch to stop. It's a thing that happens, honestly. The whole purpose had been to train the thing to protect him and those he cares for. So the thing is just doing its job. That name, though... That makes Lelouch pause and turn.

To look right into a mask he's worn so many times that he knows it better than his own home at Ashford. It's still odd - staring out and looking in instead of looking through it. That suit had been like a second skin to him and seeing it on another just doesn't seem right. But there's really only one person... ]

Suzaku?

[ He looks surprised. And also the realization that this might be not a good thing... If Suzaku is here then who else could have arrived with that group? ]

[ He barely registers the otter hovering on Lelouch's shoulder; really only enough to not try touching him. His hand shakes as he takes the mask off, revealing a much thinner, paler face than Lelouch will remember.

His eyes have dark circles beneath them, and are red but he's managed to will them to stay dry. So many emotions flicker over his face -- shock, fear, confusion, wisps of anger and hurt, wonder-- ]

How... how are you here?

[ There's the question, isn't it? How. The reality is... ]

I'm not sure. I woke up on the ship like I assume you did.

[ With no answers provided. A look of irritation passes over his features. A clear indication that he actually isn't happy with that particular turn of events. But Lelouch expects Suzaku to be conflicted like he is. The only problem is Lelouch doesn't know what to say in this situation. "Sorry I'm alive you must be disappointed?" ]

You don't look well.

[ Which is not probably the best thing to say. ]

[ On impulse, he steps closer and places a hand against Lelouch's chest, over his heart. As though he could feel a heartbeat (or a scar) between layers of clothing and the gloves he is still wearing.

Lelouch doesn't know how this happened, either... that takes all the sting out of the situation; it's not a trick, not some last-minute plan cooked up with C.C. or anyone else to save Lelouch without telling him. ]

[ Buttons doesn't seem on edge now at least. If anything she sniffs at Suzaku's hand before deciding he's no threat. All the while Lelouch takes that hand and presses it more firmly there. Maybe the scar can't be felt. But the heartbeat? If Suzaku needs that reassurance that this isn't some trick of the mind... ]

I have no answers. Yet. [ Lelouch is determined to find them. ] Then I will find a way to send you and the others back.

[ But not him, of course. Lelouch is determined about this too. ]

[ He really should be apologizing to Lelouch. Usually he's much sharper, much more attentive. But he's just staring at the hand pressing on his own -- it's warm, and there is a heartbeat -- and having some trouble immediately recovering. ]

"Others"?

You weren't alone. I saw the group that you were with. Even I came here with many others... Which breaks some sort of established pattern. Apparently.

[ "Others" had meant everyone stuck in this situation. Naturally. He releases Suzaku's hand in the process. Looks off to the side. ]

Though there is one person that arrived here with me.

[ He lets his hand fall away, as well. He's confirmed what he wanted to know, and feels his nerves settling somewhat. Lelouch even looks well -- healthy and in good shape. If this place can bring people back from the dead, in such a condition, he should be grateful.

But Lelouch's demeanor shifts, and he feels dread seep into his bones. If it were either of his parents, Lelouch would be furious. If it was C.C. or even Kallen, he would come out and say it.

That leaves Nunnally, or--

Oh gods. Oh gods oh no. The mask in his hand nearly slips from his fingers. ]

Who? [ His voice is choked. ]

[ Just from that reaction alone, Lelouch knows that Suzaku already has an idea. It had been hard for Lelouch too. He still hasn't discussed it all with Euphemia. However, she hasn't asked either. The door's open for her. For when she is ready.

The question right now, though, is Suzaku ready? ]

It's Euphemia, Suzaku. She and I arrived at the same time.

[ Something Lelouch knows he doesn't deserve. In fact, he's kind of steeling himself for Suzaku's reaction. It could be anything, really. ]

[ Even expecting the answer, the words hit like a blow. His rigid, perfect posture sags under the weight of the information -- Princess Euphemia, Euphy, is here, alive.

He looks back up at Lelouch, terrified. ]

Is she safe? [ Would he even be able to see her? Or will she-- ]

[ That's... That is not the sort of reaction that he's expecting. It throws him off. Just a little. Terrified? How can Suzaku be afraid? ]

She is... [ Lelouch recovers. Just a little ] I was going to let anything happen. Not ever again.

[ He nods, slowly. He trusts Lelouch to try and protect her, the way they couldn't two years ago.

Gods... his heart feels like it's breaking. He should be overjoyed to be reunited. Marianne had tried to bait him with Euphy so he would support Ragnarok. But all he feels is an immense sense of guilt and disgust.

He has no business even being near her. ]

Does she remember? [ His voice is steadier, clinging to that mental reminder to help him calm down. ]

...Somewhat.

[ Now he is on uneven ground again. The whiplash in this conversation... ]

I'm going to suggest we find someplace a little more private.

[ The situation is complicated enough. Others don't need to be privy to it. ]

[ Nods, moving to put the mask back on. ]

Yes, of course. Wherever you think is best.

How long have you been here?

I'd say home but that might not be the best place. Yet.

[ Thinking. Then after a moment.: ]

Library, I think.

All right. Is it far?

[ Now more focused on their surroundings. ]

Does she live with you?

No. I was actually on my way there. I finished one history book and am picking up another.

[ Necessary. Lelouch barely had studied at Ashford. Now look at him. Actually sitting down and reading a history book. Or several. ~~Wouldn't Shirley be proud.~~

His shoulders do tense at the question. Another he should have seen coming. ]

Yes... She does. We've been here a month or so.

I can't imagine it's been easy. [ Though, he is glad neither of them are alone. ]

Are you learning anything of value?

We bumped into each other in the airship. I hadn't had the chance to change out of my clothes. [ Let THAT sink in. Imagine the sight that Euphemia saw, Suzaku. She knows. Knows what Lelouch's ultimate fate is. ] So, no. It hasn't been easy. None of it has.

[ He hadn't been lying about the proximity of the library. It is actually very, very close. ]

Most of the information I can obtain about the Dreamwidth or whatever is not accessible. [ Hence the otter. Lelouch has plans for theft. ] And "value" varies. Politics. Maps. History... That I've been able to find.

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ He... lets go. And takes a half step back, bowing his head. ]

Forgive me. [ Absolutely overwhelmed, he retreats to that deference that is the only shred of dignity he has left. ]

No, Suzaku. Forgive me.

[ Because he couldn't spare her from further pain. Lelouch and Euphy might have worked through it. But there are so many other things that need to be said. ]

She knows more than she should, but not everything she needs to.

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