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

Apologies, I didn't mean to sound reprimanding. Just... be careful.

[Ultimately, it is his decision and the Ring belongs to him. But they both know what kind of impact it leaves behind on the wearer.]

The faster you get there, the faster you'll be done, kupo! Then you can eat, kupo!

[Now that the moogle mentions it, they didn't have any food ever since they woke up on the ship. Which was over six hours ago now. Huh. Ebony has a point. And gets a pat from Ignis.]

We will find something on the way to our residence.

I know. Besides, it... hasn't responded since we woke on the ship. I've tried. [He hesitates briefly.] It's been a long week.

[More like three or four months, but he has no idea how long he's been inside the Crystal. Which means he isn't surprised when his stomach seems to revolt at the thought of waiting.]

It ties in with the fact that none of us can summon our weapons. This world seems to be on an entirely different wavelength.

[He sighs, shaking his head-] No matter. We will be able to think clearly about the situation once we are checked and had rest.

[They stop in front of the doctor's office and the door suddenly flies open with nurse chattering about 'what took them so long'. Too late to back out now. Gently, he nudges Noctis in and follows after, closing the door after them.]

Yeah, I guess. Though it's weird; whatever Ardyn's jamming device did at least allowed for the Ring to respond.

[It was the only thing that did, until he found Ravus- He sighs, too; nodding. At least until the nurse bursts through the door and gestures for them to follow. Shit.

He follows, but still stiffens visibly the moment the door clicks behind them.]

[That really is the most worrying part. What kind of power is this that can turn Ring of Lucii in just a piece of jewelry?

He doesn't get to think about it right now (he will bring it up later) because the nurse is all over Noct, demanding he takes off his shirt to see any bruises, taking measurements and almost shoving that thermometer in his mouth.

Ignis manages to warn the nurses for 'no need for needles' when he's shoved onto a nearby chair, with a nurse in his face, tending to his cuts.]

[He wishes he knew, but... apparently none of those here really knew much about the sea surrounding this star. Which, admittedly, they were leagues ahead of their own home with that. Considering space travel.

Noctis only gets to warn them that he has an old back injury when the thermometer is placed in his mouth. Geez, he knows they're overworked but they don't need to be so pushy. Gingerly, he does remove his jacket and shirt, though - and Ignis gets to see just what the Tidemother and Ardyn did to him.

The massive bruising from the fight had healed, but that didn't mean there weren't any scars from cuts he'd been given by her water "mini mes" he's chosen to nickname them. All of them white against his pale skin. The others are fresher, though. Some bruising the shape of metal gauntlets that are familiar, though mostly healed from his time in the Crystal's light. The same goes for the cuts, from when he didn't hide fast enough.

Not to mention the very faint burn scars from the Ring, none of them look nearly as ashen as they had been at the time, when his blood and skin were literally on fire from the inside out, but they were there. And it doesn't stop the doctor from using some sort of curative spell that feels almost like one of their potions, which makes Noct blink as he watches those scars grow even fainter. What the-?]

[Noctis had told him that he's some time in the future so seeing this shouldn't be a surprise, right? The things get way more serious after the Altissia, Ignis figures, considering they have to go after the Goddess of Ice. But... couldn't Ignis stop some of these from happening? Where was he when this was going on?

He doesn't get to ask because one of the nurses is having him take off his own shirt. Which he reluctantly does and lets her do her job.]

Ehh, how interesting, [the nurse looks between the two of them, looking at the identical looking wound from a gauntlet-] be more aware of your surroundings when you fight the same enemy. ANYWAY this is nothing- [the nurse continues on rambling and Ignis instantly looks over where the same wound from a gauntlet is on Noct's body.

...it's one thing for Ignis to be wounded by it, he tried to calm the man down. So why is Noct having the same wound? Did he end up turning on them anyway?]

[Noctis gives Ignis a glance that all but says he'll talk to him about it later, but there's nothing in it of the anger he had in his eyes the first time they encountered Ravus. Instead, there was an air of grief and loss as he forces himself to look at the nurse. It's only when she continues to ramble on for well over a minute that Noctis says anything.]

Hey, ma'am?

Mm- Yes?

My friend here - he usually wears glasses, but he lost them in a fight. Is there anywhere we can get replacements?

Hm, it depends on the prescription, but we might have some pairs. I will go back and check.

[Sweet Shiva, he thought she'd never stop. He heaves a sigh of relief, smirking faintly at Ignis. Does this make up for the one he owed him in Altissia?]

[...dammit.

Ignis doesn't say anything, the look is more than enough. In silence, he lets the nurse heal up the bruise and some electricity injuries he suffered because of Ravus' magitek gauntlet.

He gives both nurse and Noct a raised eyebrow and was ready to tell her the prescription but she was gone in a flurry. ...so there's that. In any case-]

Thank you Noct.

[Smirk all you want, but he really is grateful that Noct brought that up.]

No problem. That make up for immigration in Altissia?

[Honestly - they might have a different grading system for lenses, here. So who knows, maybe she's also getting an eye chart or something to help figure that out? He has no idea. It's only a guess.]

... Ravus- tried to return my dad's sword to me. I don't know what happened, but- I found him surrounded by his letters to Luna and the sword in the Keep. Someone had cut his prosthetic off at the elbow and planted it still holding the hilt of the blade.

[He clutches the edge of the exam table, bowing his head.] And then Ardyn brought him back as a daemon and forced us to put him out of his misery.

[So that happened after... Ignis is glad his words somehow reached Ravus, that he saw things the right way and not be blinded by rage at a wrong person.

Ignis sighs and leans with his behind on the table, holding onto the edge. There is short silence as he stares at the floor before he answers.]

He... was there with me. In Altissia. At the Altar of the Tidemother. [Ignis slowly shakes his head.] He helped me break through the Empire's forces. We put aside our differences in favor of reaching Lady Lunafreya and you.

But, by the time we arrived... Lady Lunafreya had already passed and you were unconscious. He was so blinded by anger and grief that I'm both surprised and happy that my words reached him.

[And also angry with the way that he died. They might've not seen eye to eye with him, but as much Ignis cared for Noctis and the others, Ravus cared for his sister.]

You have- [Igns gets interrupted by the nurse who comes back and nudges some bottle in his hand. Potion?]

I- ['I didn't know,' Noctis was about to say in response, when the nurse returns. He sighs, letting her examine his back and trying not to wince at how cold the stethoscope is.]

We do have some spare frames, though we will need to test your eyes another time. Different worlds, potentially different prescription standards and we are woefully unprepared for the sudden influx today.

[The nurse notices the scars, though- and it makes Noctis freeze up a little when her gaze lingers behind him.]

...Like I said. Old back injury.

[Please stop gawking at it...]

[Perhaps the nurses' office wasn't the proper place to talk about this. He will put it on hold for later. There is more he wants to know about Ravus' death.]

Thank you, I will come in on another day for a prescription. [And bring Noct with him because when they say he has a passable vision, he needs someone to convince them that he needs the glasses.

He frowns when the nurse keeps staring at the wound after Noct explained it and steps in when she takes a step to check it our closer-]

Old. Injury. When he was very young. No further need to check it out.

[The woman seems to wake up from her staring trance and walks over to mark down the appointment for his glasses. Ignis looks over at Noct,] You're alright?

[They could discuss it once they left, yeah. They weren't really going anywhere, so...

He grabs his shirt, pulling it over his head and fitting his arms through the holes one at a time. If only to prevent the nurse from gawking at the scars again. More than a little gratefulness shining in his tired eyes.]

...Yeah. Just tired. [-of this shit, he wants to add, before the nurse turns back around to test their blood pressure and reflexes.]

Let us be done with this then and head to our place of residence.

[Ebony had taken the paper with the address for him. Which was very thoughtful of him. He lets the nurse check his reflexes, blood pressure, pupils, and throat. And after all of that, she comes to conclusion that, aside from being roughed up, Ignis is fine.

Which he already knew, but it's good to have it confirmed. For Noct's sake, of course. The Prince doesn't need that as well on his plate right now.]

Are you done with him already? [Ignis asks, a bit impatiently because that woman seems to be determined to check out every Titan-damned pore on his body.]

Yeah.

[The nurse purses her lips, shaking her head.]

Forgive me- It's just that in all my years, I have never seen scar patterns like these.

Yeah, well - pretty common in my family.

[He sees her nod and sign something on both their forms, and after she tells Ignis the date and time of when he might come back in for the eye exam, she pulls out two small candies from a bowl on the top shelf, handing them one each and sending them on their way.

Noct is... hesitant to accept it, but he does, grabbing his jacket and hopping off the exam table to leave this place. If he couldn't he'd have warped out of there five minutes ago. So instead, he begins walking.]

[...candy? Do they look like a couple of ten-year-olds? But, Ignis doesn't really have the strength to bring up the argument. It's just candy.

One could say he is as prickly as a cactus right now and nothing people do is fine in his criteria. He has to remind himself over and over again where he is and what is going on and that he needs a clear head to pull through this.

Ignis nods a short, 'prickly' thanks to the nurse, and opens the door for Noct to leave, together with Ebony and Ivory.]

Luckily, we won't have to repeat this ordeal soon, [Igins says when he's sure that they are out of nurse's earshot.]

[Look man, he's not about to question it. They're free and that's enough for him.

He also hands Ivory the candy because like hell does he want it right now. All she does it put it inside a little pouch hanging by her waist, fluttering behind them as they leave. And, once they're out of earshot:]

Thank the Stars for that. [He breathes a sigh of relief, before turning to look at Ignis.]

Hey. [He can tell you're pissed, brother.] I know we agreed to head to our assigned residence, but - we should at least get something on the way there.

[If only to have something more comforting than whatever rations they provided free of charge. Not to mention he kind of needs you to be able to think clearly, and the empty stomach isn't likely helping matters.]

[He's mostly pissed in Noct's stead. He had warned that nurse to stop it with that scar gawking but it fell on deaf ears. Ignis usually isn't rude to people he doesn't know but she was testing his patience.]

That is a good idea, [Ignis says, deciding to stop thinking about the rude nurse if Noct doesn't mind it,] but, do we know what is the currency in this place.

[He has around 400gil in his pockets right now, but he doubts this place will accept it.]

[To be fair, at least she started focusing more on his neck than his back after a while... but still, a w k w a r d.]

Actually, yeah. What's-?

[Hey, they have two locals flittering around their heads, so might as well ask them, right?]

Oh! It's gil, kupo! [Ivory chimes in, doing a little twirl in the air before siding up behind Ebony and placing her paws on his shoulders.] And don't worry if you don't have enough to cover it; we can help with that until you get settled and find jobs! -Er, employment jobs, not combat. I still don't know why they don't call them classes, kupo; that'd be so much easier...

...

[Well that's interesting. ]

[Ignis' eyebrows shot up to his hairline. A gil? How--]

How mightly convenient. [...] I have some gil on me right now, although I am not sure if it will be enough.

[The 'help until settling in' sounds a lot like credit and them ending up owing more money than needed but... do they have a choice? He doubts Noct has much money on him as well.]

Perhaps we could get ingredients for curry?

[Ignis would be right about that. With how Zegnautus went to shit right off the bat? Most of their remaining gil went to paying for desperately needed curatives. Which he... can't access now.

He might be kicking himself for spending so much when he know he has at least twenty of each in the armiger.]

Oh? Is it the currency you use back home? [But her question is answered right away and she's practically beaming.] Oh, good! And don't worry about having to pay me back, at least - I make more in a month than most do in six, kupo.

... How generous of you.

[Ivy - yep, Noct's already come up with a nickname; there's no turning back now - blinks in surprise, before deflating a little. Almost as if she feels bad for urging them to go get checked out after that... unprofessional display.]

[Seeing the moogle deflate at Noct's tone, Ignis just sighs and gives Ivory a small head pat.]

He didn't mean it like that. Noct is just still wired up from the visit to the doctor's office. [And all those nurses staring at him from ten different angles.]

Thank you for your help. Can you take us to the store? [He also glances at Ebony after the question.] The one that has reasonable prices, of course.

[Noct looks like he's about to protest that claim, but he stops himself. No, he isn't about to say it isn't just how much the nurses stared at him. No one needs to know here save maybe no-specs here. Still, he isn't really sure how to put it. Likely never will.

So what he does instead is pointedly keep his gaze averted, frowning. Though Ivy seems a little less upset at the encouragement.]

Alright, kupo. This way.

[She flutters off, and Noct turns slightly to follow after her.]

[Noct doesn't have to say it, Ignis knows how much he hates when people see his scar, ask about it or try to ask how he got it. He doesn't tell the moogle why Noct got wired up, just enough to reassure her that he's not angry with her.

Ignis nods and follows after the moogle, secretly keeping an eye on Noct. Hopefully, the curry will cheer Noct up a bit.

There's a bit of a silence until Ebony suddenly chirps in out of nowhere-]

I want to help cook, Kupo!

[...Ignis has some doubts that moogles can cook...]

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