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

"Well, all right then, I'll be sure to return the favor. We live in this block ourselves."

Fei walks in, having a look around.

"Do you, neighbor? Where at?" As Balmogra starts to adjust to the pressures of being a chef with all this responsibility, Hunk simply gives him a nod and a wink.

"The name's Hunk, by the way." He grabs his own cup of coffee, hidden in a corner of the kitchen, and takes a sip.

"We're in B-13, down the street a bit. And my name's Fei, nice to meet you Hunk.

[Fei takes a sip, admiring the color]

"This is really good."

Edited 2018-04-13 23:21 (UTC)

"We?" He raises an eyebrow at the word, but smiles and nods to acknowledge the compliment. Really, he didn't do much, but he makes a note that he grabbed some good coffee grounds. If he finds the box, he might send Balmogra to B-13 with the name.

"I take it you've met your roommates, then?" The smile's still there, but the eyebrow has calmed down. "Unless someone else is hiding nearby."

"Well, yeah, but also my moogle, and also my fiancee. I think she's still getting settled in."

As if on cue, Fei's moogle, Ku-Ku, flies in and attaches herself to Fei's arm possessively. This accomplished, she stares at the coffee with naked desire.

Hunk double-takes as the Moogle clings to Fei's arm, and the words he says. Moogle. Fiancee.

"W-wait, is your moogle your fiancee?" His eyes go wide and they dart back and forth between the two, growing more frantic and just a bit horrified, but trying to hide it so as not to be a bad host.

"What? No!"

[The moggle huffs at that answer]

"My fiancee's name is Elly, she showed up just like me."

"Oh good! That'd be weird." Hunk breathes a sigh of relief, closing his eyes tight enough to destroy the mental image that was threatening to form. But then he smiles again, with a look of whimsical excitement.

"But you and your fiance both ended up here? Wow!" And now he's grinning. "What are the chances? Do you think you'll have an exotic wedding while you're here?" Honestly, he's just thrilled at the idea of wedding food.

"Huh. I hadn't thought about it with everything going on but that's not a bad idea. Things are kind of a mess back home so we hadn't really managed to set a date, we were too busy helping rebuild."

Fei definitely is considering it though. He too may be fantasizing a bit about wedding food.

"A mess?" Hunk's warm smile kind of fell apart at the mention of a mess, of rebuilding. A wedding feast would be all well and good, but not if people were in trouble.

"What, uh... what happened, if you don't mind me asking?" He frowns a bit, a hesitant tone in his voice. Is he crossing a line with his guest? Is this going to be awkward?

Fei ponders the question for a bit.

"It's... a bit complicated. Let me see if I can explain it in a way that makes sense..."

It's pretty apparent he's mentally editing details in his head to get this out.

"Our world was kind of built up around a giant monster that was using our species for bad things. We killed the monster but not before it did a lot of damage."

"O-oh..." Hunk just listens, letting out a slight gasp as Fei's carefully selected words start to flow. He pieces together that maybe he shouldn't ask too many questions, since it was probably cut down that much for a reason.

"I'm sorry." He frowns, taking a sip of his coffee. "At least it's gone, and now they can focus on rebuilding, right?" But now he smiles faintly, reminded of the Balmerans when they were freed. All the damage that was done. But they were going to recover. So why can't Fei's home?

Fei nods. "That's the idea anyway. It's been rough, but we're figuring it out."

Hunk sighs. This is some heavy stuff. Heavier than he expected. But when the sigh ends, he's smiling.

"So Fei, what do you and your fiance plan to do while we're here?" And now he's looking expectantly. "Aside from maybe planning a wedding. There's nothing that needs rebuilt here, after all."

Hunk's holding out hope for a happy answer.

Fei laughs a bit.

"Good question. I might do some painting, there are a lot of landscapes around here I've never seen before. Not sure what Elly plans to do with her time, she's spent most her life in the military so I'm hoping she can relax a bit, although knowing her she'll probably go stir crazy before too long."

"Painting? Ooooh. Were you a painter back home, or is that just a hobby?" Hunk's decidedly interested, because it dawns on him that he hasn't been near art in quite a long time! Well, aside from performance art, but that... doesn't count.

"What sort of military work did Elly do? I was actually a military mechanic!" But he doesn't sound too confident or triumphant. Sure, he doesn't have the heart to say he left as a cadet for a planet-hopping adventure, but those are minor details.

"I definitely wouldn't say I was a true painter, but it was more than a hobby really. I love to paint, and I guess I'm pretty good at it."

Fei chooses his words a bit more carefully with the next answer. He suspects Hunk's military is much more benign than Gebler, but there is some obvious hesitance with this answer.

"When she was still with the military she was a Gear pilot."

Hunk notices that the details, the emotion were stripped for Fei's response. Short, sweet, to the point. Maybe it's classified information?

"So what's a Gear? Is it a car?" He pauses, and makes a baffled face. "That would be silly, you don't pilot cars. Or boats. Do Gears fly?"

[He seems a bit more at-ease with that more general question]

It's... like a giant person made of metal. On my world we excavated them from old ruins to get them functioning again and used them for things like construction... and war...

[He pauses for a bit before going on]

They were pretty common, all things considered. Nobody could really build new ones though, but we are able to replace parts and maintain them.

Edited 2018-04-18 04:23 (UTC)

Hmm. [ Hunk pauses for a moment, thinking about everything Fei said and... the uncomfortable similarities. ]

Where I came from, we found an ancient alien robot lion in a desert cave. [ Pause. ] Then we found four more throughout the universe. There's only those five, and they pick their pilots.

[ He takes a breath, and then continues. ] They're built to defend the universe, which means they're really good at fighting. Bright side is they pretty much fix themselves.

Fei nods.

"We do have a few animal-shaped gears, and gears that can combine. We fought a group that had a lion, pterodactyl, dolphin, and gorilla-shaped Gear that all combined into one larger Gear. They were all really tough, Ether specialists called the 'Elements'."

He pauses for a bit to consider.

"I don't think any of our Gears can really repair themselves, at least naturally. Even the Omnigears need maintenance. A few were given the power through nanomachines."

The look on Fei's face says he very much is fine not ever dealing with that bullshit again.

"Woah, that's cool! It might be similar to Voltron from my world..." Hunk sounds just as astonished as he is concerned- if they could beat something that was a combination of multiple robots, was that combo weak, or could they go toe-to-toe with Voltron? Either way, he's glad they're on the same side.

"Yeah, I might be the team's mechanic, but I don't have to repair anything for the Lions." He looks frustrated, almost exasperated at this. "It's great because we just have to rest and they're ready to go, but... I wanna learn how they work!"

He pauses for a beat, and the frustration breaks into light laughter. Why be mad, when he can be excited to learn things here? For example... "What's an Omnigear? Are they different from normal Gears?"

Fei thinks for a bit as to how to explain this.

"Honestly, your Lions sound like Omnigears. An Omnigear is special. It uses an ancient artifact which causes it to... evolve I guess is the best word for it. Omnigears aren't controlled by a conventional cockpit setup, they respond to the thoughts of the pilot. Regular Gears can be upgraded to Omnigears as well, several of my friends were able to find Relics to attach to their Gears. My friends actually had a lot of Omnigears, there are only 9 of the Relics required to upgrade a Gear into an Omnigear and a lot of them were on our team. The combining Gears I mentioned earlier, for example, weren't Omnigears, but ours were. Or at least, were as strong as an Omnigear in my case."

He pauses again, pursing his lips a bit in thought.

"Yeah the more you talk about it your Lions definitely sound like our Omnigears. A lot of Omnigears really defy examination, there's a lot of black box technology we aren't able to figure out."

"Well... I'm friends with the daughter of the guy who built the Lions." Hunk wears a bit of a smug little smile, but it quickly returns to one of normal calm. "But she's not here, he's dead, and she doesn't know how to reproduce his work." He refrains from mentioning that she can't do it yet, or that she doesn't have the materials.

"Do you know where the Gears and those relics came from?" If Fei says that they came from a weird dimensional tear that drove people mad, Hunk himself would probably start screaming.

Fei shrugs and smiles.

"Not really. Some people have been able to figure out how to make new ones with the parts of course, but for most Gears? We don't have any records. The Relics, well, that was from Deus. The monster."

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Apparently I accidentally swapped styles whups!

I noticed! No biggie.

Re: I noticed! No biggie.

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