melodiesofeternity | FABULA NOVA CRYSTALLIS || INTRODUCTION LOG

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FABULA NOVA CRYSTALLIS || INTRODUCTION LOG

Who: All characters (New Arrivals and Native OCs)
When: April 11th
Where: The Dream Width (Airship), the Curti Center, and the Housing District
What: For the first time in 10 years, outworlders have been found the Dream Width. This unprecedented number of new arrivals are rescued and brought to Vaikuntha, and must now try to start adjusting to their new home.
Warnings/Notes: All players can put up a toplevel. Please post to the NPC toplevel if you have an IC question for them.

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. The makeshift infirmary is becoming uncomfortably warm, packed to its capacity with people.

Stepping out, there is a lobby space that bears the signs of having once held some furniture, now cleared away to make space. Even with the sparse accommodations, the space quickly fills to standing-room only.

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 to play again. ]

’Welcome travelers’…

CURTI CENTER

[ Finally after hours of flight, you arrive at the Curti Center. The other NPCs await you along with the Native OCs. 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 today. Indeed, here you are. No one knows why such a large number of people has been found at once, but the Curti Center is a place dedicated to piercing the Dream Width's secrets.

Cid also introduces the other ones: his assistant Jessie, Claire, the woman looking at the group in horror upon being pointe 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 despairs at the pile of paperwork she must complete by the end of the week), 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 specifically during this introduction, please respond to the toplevel with the name of the NPC in the subject header. The mods will try to reply at least once a day for each NPC. ]

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. ]

A BAD OMEN

[ Wandering around, you may stumble upon an old and tired-looking moogle wearing what can only be described as a decrepit fortune-teller attire. Upon seeing you, or any of the new arrivals for that matter, he will slowly approach and tell you all the exact same speech. ]

If you stay here, you're doomed. She will find you and make you suffer hell. [At which point his eyes will grow exorbitant.] This world is cursed. You will die and never be free. [And finally he'll fly right into your face.] Never!

[ Then he will leave and go say his speech to someone else, without doing anything but repeating different variations of his warning if asked for details. Should you ask your assigned Moogle, Biggs or Wedge, they will mention this crazy moogle can't be reasoned with and sometimes stick around the center, even though he's always chased away. He never says anything besides doomsday predictions. For unknown reasons, he's always been particularly nasty with Biggs and Wedge... And with you as well now, it seems. ]

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 the sudden and unexpected number of 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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ In his defense, he hadn't expected to look down to find someone speaking to him. Yet it isn't a surprise that someone is inquiring about his state of mind. There's a good chance that he's not really masking it at the moment. Too much to process. ]

It's that obvious, is it? [ No sarcasm there. In fact, he almost sounds apologetic. ] I think all of us are sharing similar thoughts. Though I find myself stuck on the fact that we're not being provided with adequate answers.

Being dragged to another star by way of magicks unknown to us? Yes, it would change everything about this world I suppose.

[She offered him a kind smile.] But within the darkness of futility, there is hope for information to follow.

You think it's magic?

[ Now THERE is a thought he hadn't entertained. Certainly he can't explain how the World of C or how the passage of the Codes exist. Can't really explain the immortality either. The rest of it? There are scientific explanations.

But magic? ]

I suppose my next question would be regarding the reliability of those answers, miss. Do we take those that provide them completely at their word or maintain a level of skepticism.

I come from a land where it is a norm, rather than a remote possibility. A spell this large could affect many stars in the sky.

[Nanamo touched her chin with her hand for a moment.]

Skeptic or not, we are here, in the flesh and vigor. We seem to have no physical worry, nay do we sport anything save for our aether disturbed. In short, there is little we will gain by skeptical statements.

Magic isn't exactly commonplace where I come from.

[ Though he isn't discounting this girl's explanation either. For the moment, it's as good as anything else he could come up with. Might as well be open to the possibility, right?

However she seems more positive about he situation than he. It's true that they all seem to be in good shape. Lelouch isn't sure about the aether comment, but maybe that's more to deal with mental or spiritual wear and tear. ]

What you say is true. If it's all the same, though, I'll hang onto some skeptical comments and hope I am wrong to have them. Should it be that I am worrying too much, you can always boast about it later.

Perhaps in time, we will see this world for what it hides, it's mysteries and adventures.

Until then, we will have to deal with what comes may.

[She smiled.] I look forward to the possibility of adventure.

I wasn't really looking for a new adventure, truth to be told.

[ More like the end of one. Though he keeps that comment to himself. Lelouch doesn't quite smile, but his features are a little more relaxed than what they were before she approached. ]

A bit of an optimist, are we?

One has to be, to rule a country. Despite all my problems with the Monetarists, Lolorito never steered me wrong, Lord Godbert departed sage advice and my dear friend regaled me of tales beyond my walls.

It makes one crave a life outside the halls one calls home.

[ One doesn't have to be. Lelouch could think of a few rulers in his family that likely were not so optimistic. It's not a bad quality to have. He's lost before to those that remain positive.

The world needs more like it, if he's honest. ]

Should I be addressing you by some sort of title?

[ Might as well be respectful, correct? Lelouch isn't sure what a 'Monetarist' is. Perhaps a political group? At least he gets the fact that this Lolorito is one of them. ]

A ruler also needs to know what life is like outside the walls. I wouldn't think it a bad thing to leave and experience something new.

Nay, you may call me Nanamo, for I am in the same party as thou. If you must know, I am the Sultana of Ul'dah.

[She nodded.]

I sneak out away from my guard on many occasion to walk among the people. It is not always successful.

[ Sultana... Funny how different worlds - or stars - can use similar if not identical terms.

But heh. Sneaking out. Oh how Lelouch used to do the same in regards to school. ]

Maybe I'll teach you a few tricks to help increase your chances of success.

[ He is a pro at it, after all. It also reflects well upon Nanamo to not insist on titles that have no purpose here other than to purposefully create some sort of class separation. ]

So I suppose you can call me Lelouch. I'm nowhere near as important as a sultana.

[ Okay the last bit might be a slight tease. ]

Well met Master Lelouch. You're quite the interesting person to speak to.

I would like that, if only for being able to walk amongst the people.

[She smiled at that, nodding.]

[ Funny how he might actually be wearing a small smile now. Not a sad one or one resigned to his fate. One of his impish ones. ]

I'm surprised that I'm enjoying the conversation, actually. So, thank you.

[ It is a complement. Promise. ]

I used to sneak out of my school. Classes bored me so I'd outsmart a teacher or two and take off.

In all, I thank you for the simple talk.

[She smiled, giggling a little.]

Likewise. I would run from my tutors and Papashan would chase me down through the halls of the upper tiers of Ul'dah. Truly, a time for the ages.

It's a welcome distraction for now.

[ At least his brain isn't going at 100 miles per minute now. It makes it easier to observe and process. ]

Surely coursework for a sultana can't be too boring.

The politics are a trapped field, yet one I must navigate to ensure the result of mental labor. Nowadays, I run off to walk among the people. Although there are eyes and ears everywhere.

[ A trapped field is pretty tame term for it. ]

Do the people not recognize you?

Disguises are worn, and a discrete guard follows every so often. Most of the time the citizens do not notice my walking about, as I have taken the guise of a merchant's daughter.

Royal garments aside, I would have thought your face would be well known at least.

[ But then again, do regular people really care? Their lives are often busy enough. Some details are often overlooked. ]

What about outside of your city?

There's numerous folk who have not seen me in person. And yet, I take pains to ensure that I am not standing out.

[She knows this fairly well.]

I have made trips to the Sultantree, but any further and I have a guard.

Ah. I suppose there aren't many media resources then. [ Because to not know the face of the person leading the country... ] Our Emperor and a good portion of the Imperial Family are well known due to public events that are shown worldwide.

[ Again. Most. Euphemia managed to fly under the radar nearly her entirely life. And no one knew of Lelouch and Nunnally save for the Ashfords. ]

What is the Sultantree?

We have a paper, but naught one that you could easily call the Media. [She didn't have tv back home, what was tv?]

The Sultantree is a hallowed tree in which was planted during the founding Ul'dah. It stands as a symbol of prosperity and has offered guidance to the people in times of need.

Imagine a room filled with reporters for various news outlets. A broadcast not too much different like the message we received here being sent worldwide. That's how we spread news and information. Or propaganda.

[ He's not a fan of Imperialism in the slightest, truth to be told. ]

Do you pray to the tree? [ Lulu isn't making fun of the practice. Yet. ] Or is it really just a place people go to find some comfort?

Your land sounds like Garlemald. Where it is said that the city itself is filled with technology instead of normal buildings. And they have a tight control over their media too.

[She nodded.] I do. When I need guidance, I offer a prayer to the Sultantree.

I'd have to know more about this Garlemald before I could tell you if it's similar.

[ But it is. It really kind of is. ]

Does it help?

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