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

Rinoa Heartilly | FF VIII

[how_do_i_shot_dog]

Moogle

[Rinoa's taken a break on the edge of a fountain and is currently fiddling with her new iMog, or at least trying to. She'd tried asking her moogle, Anette, for help, but, well...]

Here is the instruction manual containing detailed directions on how to utilize it along with added in annotations by myself to further aide you. If you have any questions after you finish thoroughly reading it, I am happy to assist you, kupo.

[The thing had to be 300 pages, though, so it's not exactly a light read.]

Okay, so I need to go to settings. ...Where is settings?

Bad Omen

[Rinoa's eyes widen as the moogle rants and raves at her. She opens her mouth to speak but finds she can't bring herself to. They had defeated Ultimecia, hadn't they? Unless... Unless she was here too?]

No, no, that's not...

[The moogle has already left to assault another, but Rinoa is blind to it as she stands frozen in the middle of the plaza, wishing desperately that Squall was with her.]

Pretty Sights

[This part of the garden looks almost like Their field, and when she closes her eyes she can pretend that she's there with him. She looks around quickly. Anette is studying a plant a few rows back, and there are no other moogles in sight. She knows she's supposed to stay off the flower beds, but she just needs this, even if it's only for a second. She spares another glance before she steps over the short fence, stopping just a few feet in. She closes her eyes and just breathes, completely at ease for the first time since she arrived.]

Pretty Sights

[euphemia]

[ Eventually, after lunch, her wandering eventually led her to the garden, as well. Naturally, she was drawn to the beautifully arranged field with its various herbs and perennials. She's mindful not to step on the flowers since it seems strictly forbidden and can understand why. Yet seeing someone break that rule was a bit surprising to see and thus she stopped to stare quietly. Was she ... okay? ]

... Are you alright?

[how_do_i_shot_dog]

[Alright? For the first time in what seems like forever she's finally relaxed. She's inhaling deeply, taking it all in, when Euphemia speaks up. Her eyes snap open and she whirls around, surprised to have been caught.]

I'm really sorry. I know I wasn't supposed to step over the fence but it just reminded me so much of home that I just had to. [She holds her arm with her other hand, worried.] Am I in trouble?

[euphemia]

In trouble? [ Surprised. Why would she be? ] No! No, I ... I just thought you were, uhm. In need of help.

Bad Omen

[wheretheresawill]

Are you okay?

[The expression on the girl's face is familiar: she looks the way Terra felt when he first got here, the way he still feels if he's being perfectly honest with himself. So really, he knows she's not okay.]

They say he's like this all the time. We shouldn't pay him any attention.

[Easier said than done.]

[how_do_i_shot_dog]

[Rinoa startles when Terra addresses her, not realizing anyone else had come near her.]

Me? I'm fine. [If he had any doubts before, the way her fingers are nervously dancing around the ring hanging around her neck should be the dead giveaway that she's not.

She's silent for a moment, considering. Like this all the time? So he's either a nut or a prophet. She desperately hopes it's the former. When she finally does speak again her voice is quiet.]

Does... Does he say the same thing to everyone?

Bad omen

[conanima]

[Hang on. She saw that moogle before. And whoever that girl is, she looks terrified. Kaede walks up.]

Hey - knock it off! You're scaring her!

[But the moogle does not turn around and goes to pester someone else.]

Wait....did he actually hear me?

[how_do_i_shot_dog]

[It takes Rinoa a moment to register that someone else has said something. Her gaze shifts to Kaede with wide eyes, still shaken from the encounter.]

I'm sorry, were you talking to me? I must have spaced out.

[She laughs nervously, but even for nervous laughter it's awkward.]

Moogle

[chefbayardee]

[ Not only does Hunk know technology, he knows what it looks like when other people don't know technology. When he hears that moogle just brush the girl off and refer her to a giant manual, though, pity and disgust start to set in. ]

Excuse me, would you like a hand with that?

[ He's got a nice, warm smile on, and while he'd love to be able to help this poor girl figure out her iMog slate (he figured his out immediately, of course), he also wants to show up that moogle. They're supposed to be helpful! ]

Re: Moogle

[how_do_i_shot_dog]

[Anette shoots a glare at Hunk.]

That will not be necessary. I have provided her with the manual which explains everything perfectly.

[The look on Rinoa's face would beg to differ and she just ignores her moogle.]

That would be amazing. I don't understand anything in here. [She closes the text and sets it to the side in favor of holding out her slate so that she and Hunk can share the screen.] I'm trying to set up a passkey or something? Anette said it would make it so no one else could use it but I'm just completely lost...

Moogle

[kuposcreed]

[Bonnie frowns as she leans over, her own slate sat in her lap and almost entirely blocking her from view.]

Ummmm, I think you swipe left twice and then up once, kupo. It's the symbol that looks like a gear with a goblin mask on it...I think.

[how_do_i_shot_dog]

[Rinoa glances over to try to look at Bonnie's iMog but can't see a thing past her giant floofy head. Guess she'll just have to give it a try on her own and see how it goes.]

Left twice, then up... Oh, there it is! Thanks a lot!

[On her other side, Anette gives Bonnie a disapproving look.]

She'll never learn anything if she's spoonfed, kupo. I severely hope that you are being more reserved with your own charge.

[kuposcreed]

Kupo, some people learn better by doing. And this is new to me, kupo.

[She tries to look serious, maybe even angry? But then she squirms in a fit of awkwardness.]

A-actually I'm the charge, kupo. The moogle I was assigned is the one over there practicing ballet.

[She points her paw at Kuvon, who is busy drilling leglifts and seems otherwise unperturbed by all of this hectic business going on.]

Pretty Sights

[boomchucka]

[Whenever Rinoa decides to stop breaking the rules, she will discover one Selphie sitting down on a nearby bench, conversing with a moogle who gives off Quistis's bossy aura. Snippets of a conversation about a place called Crystallis can be overheard were Rinoa to head closer. Before long though, Selphie casts her gaze up at the night sky and sighs.]

They never showed up...

[Selphie scoffs with a sad look on her face. It's a pretty telltale sign that something might be a bit different about the perky brunette.] That stupid jerk!

[how_do_i_shot_dog]

[Rinoa only gets to enjoy the peace for a few seconds before someone's shouting interrupts her. Well, two can play that game.]

Keep it down, Selphie! I'm trying to-

[Wait a minute. Selphie?]

Where did you go? It's like as soon as we got off the ship you were gone! I was all alone out there.

[She can't help but wonder what Squall had done to get her so riled up, though. He wasn't the one that hadn't made it back home.]

[boomchucka]

[ Selphie may have been referring to Squall but also to other people that she's been longing to see. There was no telling with Selphie's current train of thought. ]

Sorry! I didn't mean to get separated but it just sorta happened. We found each other again though, right? That's the important thing.