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

Arrival

[chefbayardee]

Yep, planet-side.

[ Hunk had found his way to this all-around normal-looking guy, and was eavesdropping just a bit. Look, maybe if he found someone normal, his day would go back to normal? Worth a shot. The stress is still roiling inside him, so he takes a deep breath in. Deep breath out. ]

It shouldn't be a problem, unless we start getting shot at. [ A scoff, a roll of the eyes. ] A ship this big probably can't maneuver, so we'd be sitting ducks.

[ He is not helping his own stress levels with this admission, and a flash of panic crosses his face before he pushes it back down. ]

[masqueraid]

( there's a tilt of ren's head, well this guy seems to know what he's saying. it's true that if they were shot at it would probably be a classic fish in a barrel situation. which he's considering with a thoughtful— ) Hmm.

( but thanks to those tips he can only guess that somehow— ) You've been on a ship like this before?

[chefbayardee]

Lots, actually. [ And Hunk starts beaming, momentarily chasing away the stresses of the situation. ] This one is definitely one of the weirdest, since there's an observation deck.

[ He thinks back to the ships he's been on: warships, transports, ancient magic flying lions, flagships... ] They didn't seem too concerned about hostiles though, unless... they are and didn't want to send everyone into a panic.

[masqueraid]

( there's a small, appreciative smile as he beams. apparently it seems like something this guy might be passionate about? it's nice to see— maybe especially in a situation as weird as this. ) I bet your experience will come in handy.

( there's a small glance at the ship's walls as he takes in that last part, imagining what the aftermath of a blast through them would be, and he shakes his head. I'm hoping we manage to touch down before we find that out, either way.

[chefbayardee]

[ He chuckles at the compliment- Hunk would much rather his skills not be put to use, unless they're those of the kitchen. And the chuckle starts to veer towards one of dread as the guy talks about a landing. ]

What do you think we're doing here? I mean... [ He gestures towards the bespectacled guy with both arms, and a bewildered look on his face. ] You look pretty normal, and I don't [ He gestures back towards himself, and his yellow-and-white armor. ] so I don't know if there's any logic to this.

[ Hunk has to admit, his sense of style is absolutely outmatched. But he's been in space. As far as he's concerned, nothing makes sense anymore. ]

[masqueraid]

( as hunk says that, ren looks down at himself, at his casual clothes that had probably seen better days. and then, over towards that... get-up the other guy was wearing. really, it looked like something straight out of a featherman episode. futaba would probably get a kick out of it...

still, for all the 'trying to look normal' he did back home, it was good to know that was still carrying over. just in case. )

Maybe... to stop the end of the world? ( after he says it, he's quiet. a silence that carries maybe just a little too long... until he follows up with a breathy chuckle. ) Sorry, does that sound too cliché? Heh.

With everything the guys flying had to say on that recording though... it might even just be... some kind of inter-dimensional mix up, you know? ( yeah, right. everything always seemed to happen for a reason... )

[chefbayardee]

[ Hunk groans at the idea that it's a mix-up. That they're here to save the world. He just can't catch a break, can he? ]

An inter-dimensional mix-up on this scale seems... [ He pauses to choose his words, because if this guy can use the word "interdimensional," then... ] ...absolutely impossible.

[ He takes an authoritative stance and tone, and even starts waggling his finger. ]

I've saved worlds before. It's not fun, and it's not easy. It's stressful! [ LOUD SIGH. ] If they wanted us to save the world, why not make a crack team instead of getting...

[ He gestures towards the nearest grouping of people, and then back to the two of them. ] ...this motley crew?

[ He sighs again. ] It seems too large-scale to be an accident, but too chaotic to have a purpose! [ And now he just starts whining. ]

[masqueraid]

( ren's grey eyes follow that finger back and forth as it begins to wag until its done, listening to hunk all the while. and when he's done... )

You're probably right, I doubt any of it was planned. After all... ( he moves to adjust his glasses with the next bit— ) why else would a normal high-schooler be here?

( that friendly glare is hiding his eyes again, though it flashes away again as he removes his hand from the arm of his specs. it wasn't a lie, he could have been talking about anyone... ) On the other hand, you seem pretty equipped for this sort of thing. Have you really saved worlds before?

( because, honestly... he just seemed to keep screwing it up, lately... )

[chefbayardee]

[ Hunk can't help but smile at the question. Some time ago, he wouldn't have thought of himself as a hero, but...]

I have! Never by myself, obviously, that'd be insane. [ And he starts laughing, letting the mirth carry him into the rest of his train of thought. ] I don't have everything I'd want but...

[ Hunk gets a little smirk on his face, just a little smug. His gear is pretty cool. ] It's still enough to manage compared to a high-schooler. Do you have anything going for you, aside from... plaid pants?

[ And then Hunk pointedly stares at the uniform's leggings. A weird choice. This guy did seem like a normal high schooler, which meant he was essentially a civilian. Someone to protect, if the time came. ]

[masqueraid]

( with an exceptionally blank expression, ren shifts his eyes between his pants, then hunk, coming to rest again on his own knees. ) You don't like them?

( not that they had been his first choice either, but come on hunk don't call a guy out like that??
of course, his response neither confirms or denies what he's being asked. )

Just from listening to the others around, it seems like any abilities they had don't really seem to be working, anyway. ( he looks over the rims of his glasses as he says that last bit— the smallest hint that he might just be including himself in that group. )

[chefbayardee]

[ Hunk stifle a giggle at the question about the pants. They were just so... loud. And plaid. There's a reason he never saw plaid in space. But the only skill this kid had going for him was dodging, apparently. ]

You have a point- my armor is protecting me, but it's not generating shields or anything like that. [ He sighs. ] I don't even think I could turn it into a spacesuit right now, which would be bad if something went wrong on the outside of the ship.

[ Would they have the people and supplies to fix external damage? Probably not, if they're devoting so much to carrying around all of these people. All the more reason why getting into a fight would be disastrous. ]

[masqueraid]

( dodging is a good and important skill, okay. were his hair dyed blond and his pant-legs rolled up a little more, he might be yelling something about phantom thieves but instead, here's ren, just tilting his head to the side as he looks over that armour again. )

Our lives might be entirely in your hands, Mister Space-Hero. ( that's a lot of pressure, isn't it? ) Or— ( he turns to a port-hole again, noticing the change in altitude, noting an even, steady descent... ) we may just arrive safely.

[chefbayardee]

Aw, jeez. [ Hunk's stomach drops a bit as the descent starts, and he might've even noticed it before this normal high schooler did. ] It should be okay.

[ His eyes go wide, and a wave of anxiety starts to settle in. He doesn't know what's on that surface or where they're going or- ] J-just don't put any more pressure on me until I know what we're dealing with!

[ And then a realization strikes, leaving the armor-clad man to start awkwardly laughing. ] But my name isn't Mister Space Hero. It's Hunk. [ So he offers a hand for a handshake. ] What's yours, Mister Plaid-Pants?

[masqueraid]

Heh. ( mister plaid pants wouldn't be the worst nickname he'd somehow gotten on this flight. but all the same, he takes that hand to shake it. ) Amamiya— Ren Amamiya.

Try not to worry to much I have a feeling most of the pressure will go to who— or whatever inhabits this place. Always best to go to the source first, right? ( and he grins, with just a hint of shit-eating to it as he adds— ) Mister Space-Hero.

[chefbayardee]

Go to the source. [ For a random, unassuming schoolkid, Ren was pretty sharp. Hunk was a bit stressed, so he hardly realized he could just hunt down whoever was in charge. ]

You've got a good head on your shoulders, Mister Plaid-Pants! [ And Hunk's smiling. He will gladly ride this joke-nickname horse off into the sunset. But Mister Space-Hero can't show how jokesy he is, he has to keep up Space-Hero appearances! It's a shame. ]

You, uh... [ The smiles and laughs fade for a moment, and he's somber. ] Be careful out there, alright? [ And then he dons a shit-eating grin of his own. ]

I don't wanna have to come and rescue you!

[masqueraid]

( there's another chuckle from ren at that, and even when hunk grows serious again, he's still smiling, though it's toned down. this guy seemed pretty friendly actually, and has he'd learned from his time in the velvet room... forming bonds was always important. even in a strange situation like this, he had to think. )

I'll try to stay out of trouble. ( because THAT'S always worked out for him. but here's a friendly wave, just to drive it home. )