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

[warpstriking]

[Noctis sees the carrots, makes a face, but... doesn't comment on it. Just focuses on showing Ignis the odd find and watching his expression about it when Ivory chimes in:]

Okay, this is starting to get a little weird, kupo. [Ivory looks just as confused as Ignis is surprised.] I've don't think we've ever heard of other worlds having this particular drink before, but it's been popular among college and university students for nearly as long as we've learned how to can things, kupo.

Really?

[Ivory nods.]

Huh. Well, I'm not willing to look a gift chocobo in the beak.

[Not yet, anyway. Though he is very curious about it himself. So, yeah, he can see it. But it still doesn't explain how they woke up in spaaaaace unless it's like they've been told.]

[regalblaze]

[He cannot put carrots in just because one person doesn't eat them. He'll cut them big so you can avoid them. Is that okay?

So it has been here for a while. Before they arrived. Coincidence...? How big or small are the chances that two different worlds end up having coffee named 'Ebony'?]

Indeed, it is extremely weird. [He hands it over to the cashier.] Excellent find Noct. Thank you.

[His gratitude is short lived. Because, when they step out of the store with bags in their hands, Ebony is flying their way.

Carrying the entire drawer with him. Filled to the brim with kitchen utensils.

Looking as if he's about to drop it because of how heavy the drawer itself is.]

I found them! I found them all kupo! Placed them all in one place to not get lost, kupo!

[Ignis turns to stare at Noct.]

...

You will be carrying that back to the house.

1/?

[warpstriking]

[But it's still there... That's enough. :|

Noctis frowns, but shrugs. It's probably about as much of a coincidence as literally everything else in this backwater world.]

Sure thing.

[Noctis was about to take a sigh of relief, wh—]

[warpstriking]

[wHAT THE SIXDAMNED HELL IS WITH THIS MOOGLE HOLY SHIT]

[warpstriking]

[It takes Noct a moment to remember that he can't warp, so he runs over, helping the little guy support the weight of the drawer since his hands are free and the others' aren't Ifrit's fiery corpse what the-]

[warpstriking]

[Noctis precariously catches a spatula that nearly topples over when Ignis says that, turning slightly to glare at him—]

[warpstriking]

...

[warpstriking]

[He— takes the drawer from the moogle, frowning and nearly doubling over twice from how heavy this shit is. Ow owowow—]

fin

[warpstriking]

Please just... lead the way back...

Re: fin

[regalblaze]

[Ignis just calmly stands to the side, watching Noct wrestle with the drawer that Ebony brought it.

...he should feel bad. Should. But he doesn't. It's his own damn fault this happened.

Ebony salutes Noctis and turns around-]

This way kupo! Estimated time of arrival- fifteen minutes by foot, five by flying!

[Ignis is biting the inside of his cheek. Fifteen minutes, huh?]

1/2

[warpstriking]

[Titan's.]

[Sweaty.]

[Asscrack.]

[warpstriking]

[You know what? He's just... gonna start walking. Not even bothering to look at Ignis.]

[regalblaze]

[Ignis is just too amused, but merciful enough not to laugh out loud. Even though it is very, very tempting.

Poor Ivory, trying to make sure none of the utensils slip out of the drawer as Ebony leads the way.]

[warpstriking]

[He has lost the ability to give a fuck if any of the utensils slip and fall out of the drawer by the third block. by the fifth, in a very strained voice:]

—ll take... Titan punching me...over— this...!

[whhhhyyyyyyy]

[regalblaze]

[Don't worry, that's why Ivory is there, to help you catch them.

And Ignis catches one fork, putting it back in the drawer as Noct speaks.]

Would you take a broccoli over this?

[What? He's curious.]

[warpstriking]

[why must you taunt him like this iggy he thought you were his friiiieeeend.

That said he is not. Responding. At all. Nope. Too busy struggling with an overstuffed kitchen drawer and too pissed to dignify that with a response.]

[regalblaze]

[And friends tease each other like this. Ignis is even being nice. Imagine Gladio seeing you like this. Or Prompto. Comments would never end.

Ignis can't help but grin at the silent treatment. And do what he does the best.]

I will take that as a 'yes'.

[ :) ]

[warpstriking]

Ignis, so help me, I will drop this on your foot—!

[regalblaze]

That is not a wise decision to make.

You will then have to collect everything you dropped.

[warpstriking]

[A U G H]

[regalblaze]

Just five more minutes, Noct, and we're there.

[Have a clap on the back.]

[warpstriking]

[He finally turns to glare at Ignis at the clap on the back. He nearly dropped knives, Iggy.]

[Two minutes later:] Are we there yet?

[regalblaze]

We're here, we're here!

[Ebony calls out from the doorstep of the house, several meters away.]

It would seem we are.

[warpstriking]

[Oh thank the stars his legs are starting to shake and his back is killing him. He doesn't say another word, only makes a beeline toward the door. And, once inside, follows the two moogles to the kitchen to unceremoniously drop the drawer on the counter and step back, breathing a sigh of relief before retreating to the living area.

Because he notice a couch

And it is unoccupied.

Well, was. He's just gonna faceplant on it for a second while. No big deal.]

[regalblaze]

[Ebony is flying around the floor, going back and forth between the kitchen and living room. Ignis just strolls straight to the kitchen to leave the bags, leaving his moogle to hover over Noctis on the couch.

Gently touches tips of the spikes-]

Are you okay, kupo!?

[You're worrying the moogle Noct. He just wanted to help.]