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

"Besides being confused as to how on Eos we're no longer on said star? I'm fine." Cor at least picked up quickly that he's in apparently friendly territory, which is why he's not as standoff-ish as he normally would be.

"An actual Moogle..." He huffs in amusement, shaking his head. "Seems like this place is full of surprises already."

"We still don't know either," Ignis sighs. But, he's more than glad to hear that Marshal is alright. He could visit doctor's office soon enough though, just for a basic checkup.

Ignis looks at Ebony:"They are very real. And very friendly and helpful as well. Now that you are here, you should be meeting your own Moogle soon."

"Everyone has their assigned Moogle, kupo!"

Ignis looks around:"Let us head out. A breath of fresh air will do you good after hours on a spaceship. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, Marshal."

"This way Iggy, Mister Marshal!" Ebony chirps happily and weaves through the crowd.

"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.

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."

Cor actually relaxes a little, once they're outside the building and he can feel the breeze on his face. Just a little, though, since he's still in a strange place and without his usual weapon.

"I'll consider it for later... Is it truly mandatory to have them check you over, though?" Cor's not protesting outright ~~yet~~, but he is rather wary about letting some unfamiliar doctor check him over and take down his vitals. Neverthemind how he's always been loathed to see any kind of medical caretaker that wasn't urgent and immediate...

Still, despite the answer, he makes sure no one's in the immediate area before he speaks up again. "Alright...I know Prompto's here, since we met on that airship. And...there might be some kind of time magic involved, if both of us remember things at different points of time?"

"It is not, but it is highly recommended. It is a basic check on temperature, reflexes and to tend to any injuries you sustained before entering Dream Width." Not that Cor looks like he has any visible injuries but...

"If you wish I could accompany you there. I went with his Highness once we arrived." To both keep an eye on the doctors but also make sure Noct is fine. Ignis can do a lot of things but he's not a doctor.

"That is correct," Ignis confirms with a sigh. "I am afraid that we don't know how this happened, only that we were pulled into Dream Width nebula and then picked up by spaceship later." His eyebrows narrow as he thinks about Prompto and Noctis, "Prompto and his Highness... they come from a time long after what happens to me." In Altissia.

"...maybe later," Cor concedes. At least it only sounds like a basic check-up. Still, he'd rather not rush towards the medical wing just yet, not when he has so many questions that need answering.

And thankfully, Ignis is here to help answer some of them. He nods and listens to the other man's explanation, even as they seem to pause next to what appears to be a small garden for cooking herbs. "And you don't remember how any of you ended up in there, either...? What was the last thing you remember, back on our star?"

The question sends a chill down Ignis' back. He's not stuck in the memory nebula anymore but the thing still lives in his head. And this memory repetition just made it even worse. He briefly wonders if he will be able to fall asleep tonight without hearing Bahamut's voice in his head.

"Altissia," he says slowly. "Noct had just finished his battle with the Tidemother but... she was still raging. I managed to reach him, with Ravus' help. He had called off all of the Empire's ships and army. By the time I reached him, Lady Lunafreya was..." Ignis trails off and takes a deep breath.

"Noct was passed out. That's when Ardyn arrived." A very unpleasant shiver went down Ignis' back. "The last thing I remember was being knocked out by him."

"Ravus? The elder Nox Fleuret?" That's certainly surprising. But Cor could easily figure out why the so-called 'High Commander' would want to help at that point - his sister, Lunafreya. And speaking of which...

"...she didn't make it." No question, only somber words as he bows his head in equally somber thought. That...was one of his worst fears regarding what might happen over there. Cor had honestly hoped that she would survive, that Ignis and his group would be able to unite with her and bring her back with them. But now without the Oracle--

No, best to push the worst thoughts down for now, especially considering the rest of the Advisor's explanation.

"So the Chancellor was around there, too... Did anyone tell you why?" Because he could see why the rest of the Imperial Command wanting to be there - killing the Hydraen, or trying to claim Noct's head for a prize. But Ardyn Izunia, as the Marshall knows him...he's been the real mystery, a shadow behind the throne figure.

"Indeed. It was a surprise but certainly not help I could refuse." Even if it is just for the sake to reach Lady Lunafreya and not to help Noctis. Ninety percent of the army pulled back after his order and Ignis was extremely grateful for his help. He still is.

Ignis shakes his head. "No... she didn't." His frown turns into a glare- not intended for Cor, but at the topic of 'Chancellor'. "And he was. And his Highness told me he was the one that ended her life."

His hands curl into fists:"My only guess is that he was after Noctis. But his fingers are mixed in every event that happened so far that I can't pinpoint his true intentions at all."

"Huh...guess familial loyalty finally won out, it seems." Not that Cor's complaining; far from it. What little respect he has for Ravus has nearly doubled at the idea of the Tenebraen Prince trying to fight alongside - and save - his sister.

Though the rest of Ignis' explanations only makes Cor grow even more stoic, even steely in the eyes. "And yet, he's so great a threat that her Highness sacrificed her life in order to protect our king from him... Makes me wonder why he's the power behind the Imperial throne, instead of claiming said throne for himself."

Ravus looked like the familial loyalty had never died to begin with, only suppressed by the Empire. He only wished that Ravus managed to get himself free from their grasp earlier.

"He seems like a man who likes to pull the strings from the shadows," Ignis says with an almost exact scowl on his face like Cor's. "Perhaps... the one that sits on the Empire's throne is just a mere puppet to him." He crosses his hands, raking through his memory, "Everything that man did was of his own volition."

"It would at least explain why Aldecapt's been so insistent upon continuing the war for so long, even with the initial reports about him being a kind and just ruler to his people." Because even emperors could be manipulated by people, if they're perceived to be trusted friends and allies.

"What exactly has he done, to your knowledge, that impacted you and the others? There might be a pattern there..."

What Ignis is going to say is not something that Cor would like. But- at the time, they really had no way out of the situations they were in. He braces himself for being reprimanded as he lays a proper report to Marshal.

"I cannot pinpoint anything specific. The man had appeared out of nowhere at Galdin Quay the first time and then kept appearing almost everywhere we went. At a time, the Archeon was guarded by the Nifelheim- large patrols and bases built around the Meteor. He had granted us a pass to the Titan and even got us out once his Highness received the blessing. He was conspicuously absent for the time we went for Fulgurian's blessing."

He takes a deep breath, pushing his glasses up:"The last time we saw him was after we dispatched magitek army at one of the bases where he announced that he was heading for Altissia."

Cor listens to every word coming out of Ignis' mouth. And...saying that he isn't happy is an understatement. The glare he's giving the advisor would wilt just about any new recruit within seconds.

"And why did you accept his help at all, if you knew that he was with the enemy? Especially given his actions in Altissia?"

Ignis knew that he would get this reaction from Marshal and he's not surprised. He has a reason to be angry and if Ignis didn't know the circumstances they were in back then, he would've been angry as well.

"We had no other choice," Ignis says, looking more than just unhappy with the fact that he had to accept Ardyn's offer. "The Meteor and Archaean were heavily guarded by the Nifelheim forces. With the base in the mountain, we had no way to infiltrate it." It is completely different from those flying fortresses and bases laid out on the low ground.

"Once the Titan was awake, the Meteor site started collapsing on itself. We had a no way out- we were completely walled off at the bottom of the Meteor where Archaean was sleeping. So we had to accept the offer from him to get us out of there." What's the blessing if the Meteor becomes Noct's tomb?

Cor fumes over that for a few moments. He knows that Ignis would not have advised Noctis to take such a risk if it was the only available option. Still, that doesn't make the idea that them getting stuck in that kind of situation any less frustrating.

"Even so, it doesn't change the fact that it easily could've been a disguise for an Imperial trap. What if the Chancellor used that rescue as a way to capture you all? Or worse?"

Ignis would rather run up the mountain for hours to get out of there- if the said mountain wasn't collapsing on them. That damn Empire ship was their only way out.

"There were four MTs on the ship- pilot, co-pilot and station guards- and Ardyn. If he truly tried to pull something, it wouldn't have been difficult overtaking the ship." Four MTs are nothing compared to the hordes of them they destroyed. Of course, that would lead to other complications like piloting the said ship, but he doesn't want to think about it. It ended the best possible way, even though the Regalia was away for a while.

Cor's not surprised that Ignis would make a thorough assessment of the situation. And to be honest, he's a little calmer due to the idea that Ignis did consider taking over the airship, should push come to shove. But only a little.

"...still, the fact that he's managed to corner you into accepting his help is rather concerning, even if the airship was that lightly staffed... It's almost as if he was manipulating you four."

There is nothing Ignis wouldn't do to ensure that Noctis was safe. He always comes first- everything else comes into the second plan. Hopefully, Cor is aware of that.

"Ardyn always manipulates everything," Ignis says irritably. "But Noctis got the blessing and that is all that matters. If he really wished to try something, he'd check to see if he could sprout wings in three seconds."

Cor's fully aware of how loyal Ignis is to Noctis. He just hopes that such loyalty doesn't blind him to the bigger picture sometimes.

"...Hn." He gives a small, curt nod. "Just try not to fall into any further traps in the future, once we find our way back home."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject