FABULA NOVA CRYSTALLIS || INTRODUCTION LOG

[eternitymods]

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?]

Comments

housing

[chefbayardee]

[ He has no style, he has no grace, this man has a ton of groceries. Hunk nearly slams into the front door, fiddling with the key before nudging the door open with his shoulder.

He peeks his head in, does a bit of a double-take at the smell of that familiar, sweeter smoke and the pink hair, and his eyes light up. ]

Oh hey there, Baiken!

[ He starts worming his way through the doorway, the bags and groceries themselves clattering noisily. Above his head, a dusty-looking Moogle with a huge bag of what can only be kupo nuts flies in, making a beeline for the kitchen while cackling out a "Ku-po-po-po...". ]

Do you live here, too?

[garyoutensei]

I thought I saw your name on the roster. -Baiken chuckled, unsurprised by that grocery list. Well she could at least have faith that she was going to be well fed while there. Hunk definitely seemed like he wouldn't let her live on smoke, booze, and rice alone, even if she fussed about it.-

You, uh... need a hand? -The one she had to spare.-

[chefbayardee]

Nah, I got it, thanks though! [ He grins and pushes the door open, stomping in with an uncomfortable amount of groceries on each arm. ]

I didn't know there was a roster! Who else is on it?

[ He looks eager as he storms through their shared space, hustling towards the kitchen. The bags rustle and clank and clatter with each step, but in a few terrifyingly short seconds he's already placing them gingerly on the kitchen floor. ]

Oh, uh... what are you feeling for dinner, by the way?

[garyoutensei]

Oh, uh... -She hadn't really been asked that. Like ever.-

I'm not really picky, honestly. I was on the road constantly back home so I tended to just eat what I could.

[chefbayardee]

Yeah, I get that. [ Green goo. Green goo. Apparently it's the only food in the castle ship, which is just a sin. ]

That means you should prepare to be amazed! I'm cooking dinner tonight. A lot of it. [ He's not going to say it's to keep his brain from bursting out of his skull, but... it's definitely not entirely altruistic. ]

[garyoutensei]

I'm no good in a kitchen, but I get the impression a guy like you doesn't need my help. Either way, I'll eat anything you make. -She was good for that, at least. He'd drank her booze. It was hard to say there were any flavors that might actually offend her.-

[chefbayardee]

[ He giggles, and gives her a wink. ] I'll be fine. Plus, I have my moogle to help me!

[ Said moogle has already started rummaging through bags and setting up pots and pans. What a good helper! ]

And, uh... I'm probably gonna have the windows and door open- people should know that we can cook some good food while we're here. [ He beams confidently before shooting a glance over to Balmogra, who only kind of knew what he was doing. ]

We might get visitors.

[garyoutensei]

You're just gonna invite strangers in? -Baiken tried to not sound incredulous, but... something about that idea didn't sit well with her, regardless.-

1/3 because welcome to hunk's emotional roller coaster, sorry

[chefbayardee]

Yeah. [ Hunk sees her confusion, and simply shrugs. ] The only other people around here are the others from the Dream Width. [ He nods sagely, with a smile on his face. ]

Might as well meet our neighbors, you know? [ But Hunk is tense. Very visibly tense. Somber. Serious. He wants to say more, for her and for him, to be sure Baiken knows how aware of the situation he is. ]

2/3 because he has Feelings about opening his home to people

[chefbayardee]

One time, we let our guard down and... one of my friends almost died. I'll never let that happen again. [ He exhales, and walks over into the kitchen and opens a drawer. ]

No matter who walks through that door, [ He pulls a knife from the rack, and a knife sharpening rod from the drawer. ] ...this host will take care of his guests.

3/3 i am so sorry for this child

[chefbayardee]

[ He knows how that looked, but... he had to convince himself that this was a good idea. That there was nothing to be afraid of. And then he sighs, and the tension escapes with the exhale. There's a moment's pause, and he begins sharpening the knife with a carefree smile. ] But it'll be fine! We're all in the same boat, except I have a pile of food that I can cook into delicious meals.

Also how do you feel about dessert?

[garyoutensei]

-There was a story there, she could tell. More than Hunk was saying at least. Not that he was the sort to leave things out, but it didn't feel like the right mood to press the issue, either. She was pretty confident she could kick any troublemaker's ass, anyways, but more to the point...-

... I'm not really comfortable with strangers. -That much was obvious.- But it's fine, I guess, so long as you're taking care of things.

As for dessert, I don't really care for most sweets.

[chefbayardee]

Yeah, things'll be fine! [ He doesn't want to assume the worst of the other arrivals, so he won't. For now. ] You can head out if you want, and I'll make sure to put some food aside for you.

[ And while Hunk would be tempted to say she's lying for not liking sweets, well... he's not too surprised. He remembers her mentioning she just ate what she could on the road, and... ]

Maybe you just haven't found the right ones!

[garyoutensei]

Maybe... -His line of thought wasn't inaccurate, to be sure. Stale baked goods were most of her exposure. She may have had daifuku once before, but those memories were...-

You're welcome to try, but I can't promise my pallet will be receptive.

[chefbayardee]

Look, Baiken... [ His tone is almost condescending, and he's shaking his head in a judgmental way. ]

Your pallet will handle things better than I handled your sake. [ Hunk chuckles, and then looks to the ceiling for a moment, contemplating his next words. ]

Seriously, if you can handle drinking straight from that jug like that, you can handle some sugar.

[garyoutensei]

Those aren't the same, but whatever. I already said I'm putting faith enough in you to try, so don't get a big head about it. At least prepare to be a little disappointed.

[chefbayardee]

Disappointed? [ Hunk gasps in a clearly fake and overdramatic way. But then it just devolves into goofy giggling. ]

It just means we try something else. Not all desserts are sweet enough to kill you! [ And then he looks uncomfortably out a window for a moment. ]

Plus, you never know, the locals might have some dish you like. [ He didn't want to say that fish people might make the most unusual desserts, but the thought was firmly in the front of his mind. ]

[garyoutensei]

Your well of optimism never seems to run dry. -Baiken rolled her eye, letting out a sigh.-

[chefbayardee]

I couldn't really stand to be a pessimist when I was stranded on the other side of the universe. [ And he starts laughing, even sporting a bit of a toothy grin. ]

Plus, being pessimistic about dessert just seems wrong.

[garyoutensei]

I dunno if you've noticed, but there's not a whole lot about me that's right.

[chefbayardee]

[ The laugh stops dead in its tracks. Hunk frowns for a moment, looking sheepish before finding his resolve. He could make a joke, but humor is best when well-deployed, so... ]

I think your hair is cool! [ He has to admit that he's not used to pink hair at all, so that's part of it. ]

And you're pretty scary when you want to be. [ And then he giggles, because there's nothing too scary about her right now. They're talking about desserts, for goodness sakes! He rides the mirthful momentum, and then- ]

Your eye's all right, too! [ His eyes go wide as he makes the joke he just told himself he wouldn't make. Whoops. ]

[garyoutensei]

-This guy, she swears to god.-

I'm not sure if I should say thanks or punch you in the arm. Or both.

[chefbayardee]

[ He's not dead yet, so he's in the clear! So he's smiling again. ]

Go with your gut, definitely.

[ And now he's grinning. ]

But you have to wait until after I throw some dessert your way, because your gut will be better off that way.

[garyoutensei]

-A smirk.- Fine. I'll punch you in the arm then.

[chefbayardee]

[ Hunk's grin falters for a moment, and he just sighs. ]

Sure, okay.

[ He's really doubling down on this, and he's starting to wonder if he's flying a little too close to the sun. ]

That's assuming you're not trying to grab more dessert, though.