melodiesofeternity | Event || Worldwide Tourists

Event || Worldwide Tourists

Who: All New Arrivals and Curti Center Staff
When: April 15th-30th
Where: All over Vaikuntha, starting outside of the airship hanger
What: Ganeshan, the resident Job Expert, will be taking the new arrivals around the the various Guilds so they can collect their chosen Job Asterisks as noted in their applications.
Warnings/Notes: Guild prompts can be found here

Enter the Master

[Each new arrival's iMog buzzes with a message instructing them to gather for a worldwide adventure to obtain the power of Vaikuntha. If they follow the invitation's instructions, they will arrive at outside of the airship hanger on the morning of the 15th, with their meager belongings packed.

An Enterprise-Class airship, the Ragnarok, hovers outside of the Curti Center. There is a flash of light on the top of the ship.]

"WELCOME!"

[A figure, minuscule at this distance, launches itself off of the ship and hurtles toward the ground. As he draws closer to the ground, he starts to flip, landing with a flourish. An armored figure, sans helm, turns his toothy Zora grin to the crowd. With a shimmer, his armor transforms into a white mage's robe, and he sends a rush of wind through the crowd for dramatic effect.]

"I AM GANESHAN, THE JOB MASTER! GYA HA HA HA! TODAY, YOUR LIVES WILL CHANGE FOREVER."

[Ganeshan shimmers again, ruthlessly abusing the Chemist's Modifier skill to once again shift Job Classes so he can lower the airship's loading dock with a wave of his hand.]

"I BELIEVE THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HAS THE ABILITY TO MASTER THE JOB CLASSES. SOME OF YOU MAY MASTER MANY, OTHERS WILL PURSUE THE PERFECT MASTERY OF JUST ONE. BUT EITHER WAY, YOU'LL BE INCREDIBLE!"

[Ganeshan gives everyone a big thumbs-up. The out-worlders who are not scared off by this booming speech can feel free to enter the airship and prepare for their ride around the world. Hopefully some of the Curti Center's newest hires can serve as ~~non-crazy~~ less exuberant tour guides for the new arrivals.]

Around the World

[The Ragnarok will be stopping at every major city in Vaikuntha, with the exception of those cut off by the Imperial border closing. Characters can create top levels to respond to the Guild prompts and explore the cities themselves as the ship makes its stops. Each Guild provides information sessions, free food and trinkets for potential applicants, and once you're ready to receive your Asterisk, all you have to do is take some introductory lessons and fill out forms. Characters can receive up to two asterisks. Time to get to know your new world!

Questions for Ganeshan can be directed to the Ganeshan top level post.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In my defense, there was never really a need for it.

[ Battles aren't really done with foot soldiers anymore. People used technology every day. Physical fitness is more of a recreational thing.

His eyes follow hers. It's out of the way. A little more private. That works just fine for him. ]

Looks as good as anything else. Let's hope the staff isn't as pushy.

[Not wanting to make more of a topic of running, she decides to give the boy a nod and a gesture forward to the cafe.]

[The inside is a far departure from the grand and vivid displays outside. The Black Cat cafe seemed to have taken to a low key hickory was its primary color palette. The only thing breaking up the sea of brown was accents of brighter colors of orange, white, and forest green. Most of the fixtures, from the chairs and tables, to the lampshades were a rather classy black, with glossy black cat silhouettes appearing at the correct lighting. Somewhere in the back mellow lute music could be heard.]

[Quite the contrast to the past cafe, a small chalkboard that read "Please Seat Yourself" was the only thing there to greet the two as they entered.]

This is... very different.

[Not that was a bad thing...]

Edited 2018-04-21 20:26 (UTC)

[ This isn't what he had expected either. It's less like a typical cafe and reminds him more of a cat themed pub instead. When the girl next to him makes a comment, he chuckles. ]

It is. A shame a friend of mine isn't here. He'd enjoy the thematic decor.

[ He gestures towards the sign in a "shall we?" motion. Of course once they find a place to sit, Lelouch pulls out the chair for the girl to sit down. He isn't going to forget manners. For now. Again, it's more beneficial to be rather than his snarky self for the time being.

People can see that side of him later. It's bound to happen. ]

[She accepted the manners and sat down. Rather surprisingly, the place seemed completely empty. Even more perplexing, there didn't seem to be a menu or even a shop owner.]

[Just as she wondered where the owner was a gentleman came out from the back. By Makoto's reckoning he was a middle-aged adult. Everything about him shouted casual chic: he had a formal vest over an unbuttoned collared shirt and black khakis. On his face was a pair of half glasses and rough 9 o'clock shadow that Makoto swore must have been kept intentionally untidy.]

Sorry folks, shop's...

[He paused, looking past Lelouch's shoulder and over at Makoto. A soft "well now" and mischievous smirk came across his lips as he pulled out a note pad and pencil from a vest pocket.]

Store hours are usually 8 to 10 and 8 to 2. But for such a sweet thing I guess I can make an exception.

All we got for right now is the house blend and hot water for tea. The muffins are a day old and the soup needs four more hours. Of course, you can always come by later and you can see The Black Cat's "special services." [He gave Makoto a wink.]

Uh... just the house blend, please. And I'll cover what he's having.

[With a soft shrug the man barely turns his head toward Lelouch.] And you, kid?

[ Yeah. Yeah Lelouch already thinks this man is shady. There's flirtatious and it would be fine if it's just that. What Lelouch doesn't like is the winking or the off-hand comment about "special services."

Not that any of his distaste shows on his features. Rather they remain relatively neutral. He had thought to make a suggestion to leave if they are closed... But now he almost wants to inconvenience this waiter and put the little shop behind schedule a bit. ]

I'll have the same.

[ Coffee might not be a bad choice. The only other thing that Lelouch is paying attention to is if the girl starts to feel uncomfortable or not. ]

Two houses. Right. Well, don't think that its's on the house. [The owner laughed way too hard for the caliber of joke he just said and returned to behind the counter.]

[Makoto, for her part, is a little uneasy but seems fine. He was getting too friendly but at the very least left easily enough once the order was heard. Were she not with the boy she probably feel much less comfortable, but at the very least she wasn't completely alone... even if she only met him a few minutes earlier.]

I, uh, wanted to thank you for before. I don't think I got your name, though. So shall we do introductions?

My name is Makoto Niijima.

[ That's not even remotely funny. As the man walks away, Lelouch rolls his eyes. At least he doesn't stick around. It's somewhat better than that last location then. ]

Hmm? [ Lelouch's attention returns to the girl. Introductions. ] No, I don't think so. We ran before I could give it.

[ Makoto Niijima. If that wasn't a very Japanese name... ]

Niijima? Is that Japanese, if I can ask? [ Not that it matters. Lelouch is just curious. ] I'm Lelouch Lamperouge.

Oh, you've heard of Japan? [She smiles. Even if they were from a different world, the fact that he was at least aware of Japan was clearly a good thing, right?]

Yes, that's right. I was born in Tokyo and was living with my sister in Shibuya. ...would it be alright if I called you Lelouch-san?

[ A world where Britannia hasn't overpowered it. It's kind of nice. What Lelouch doesn't know is that Britannia actually doesn't exist in most of these other worlds. ]

Of course. In return I'd call you Niijima-san, correct?

[ It's been a while since he's had to remember Japanese customs. He's fairly certain he has it right, but he could be wrong. ]

Shibuya? I've always wanted to see it.

[ You know. When it was still Shibuya. ]

Yes that's right. And I think you're in luck.

[A glint appeared in her eye at that request. While there isn't much she could do, there was a few small things...]

[Reaching into her purse she took out her cell phone. Its battery life nearly expired, she was still able to flip it over to her photos.]

[What was greeting Lelouch was certainly colorful.]

This is the main street. Thousands of people cross there every day.

[ Genuinely interested, Lelouch leans over. Main street. Just from the photo he can tell that it is a main intersection. So many people... Chances are it isn't like that anymore. ]

I suppose it's not really a place where one should stop to admire the view.

Oh, they do. Though if you were to visit I would certainly not recommend stopping in the middle of the intersection. Not only would you get in the way of everyone, but it is also an actual road with vehicles.

[She flipped her finger past the image and some teens popped up on the screen.]

Oh... yeah, they're on here too. Er... my friends.

Edited 2018-04-22 05:10 (UTC)

Traffic must be chaos.

[ Friends. Enjoying life and just being teens. Must be nice. ]

You might want to save your battery then. The pictures are from precious memories, right? It'd be a shame if it died and you no longer had the ability to see them. I'm a little jealous I don't have anything like that for me.

[She pauses, bringing the phone closer to her face. A finger reaches and touches the two that aren't here. From deep within herself she hoped that they were okay.]

My memories... are mine. Even if this dies they will still be in my heart.

[She returns her attention to Lelouch.] But I can still share a little bit of them. And I can enjoy this moment of being reminded of them.

[She flips through the images, though, not wanting to cause Lelouch any more concern. She finishes up her search to show a dazzling part of town.] This is Shinjuku. Its north of Shibuya, and its one of the biggest commercial and industrial center.

Edited 2018-04-22 05:34 (UTC)

[ It's a good sentiment. He's fortunate that one of his siblings are here. Others have those that they care about left behind. If Makoto wants to move on, he won't press. Only smile and nod.

So that's what Shinjuku should have looked like. All that's there now are run down buildings and decaying streets. The rebuilding of the area has virtually halted. ]

That's a far cry from the Shinjuku of my world. It's nothing but a ghetto now. All the effort put into rebuilding and revitalizing it has yielded no results.

I... what? [It was a ghetto in Lelouch's world? That was... upsetting.]

[The thought was not allowed to settle long before the cafe owner had returned. He brought a platter with two rather unorthodox mugs. The glossy blackness of its outer rim was only matched by the glossy black liquid on the bottom of the cup.]

And two house coffees for the two lovers.

N-No, that's not...

Relax, kitten. You two weren't exactly keeping things on the down-low over here. So you two are off-landers, huh? Been a lot of you folk around. Not that its any of my business.

Nah, the only thing on my mind is if either of you want sugar or cream. Well, and some iMog details for the lady, but I'm not too particular on that front.

[ Unorthodox but fitting all the same. He's inspecting the coffee when the man speaks. Even Lelouch becomes flustered. ]

L-lov... [ Nope. Can't even repeat it. ] W-we're really not!

[ Doesn't look like he's about to believe them. He's chatty, even if he is a little too forward for the both of them it seems. Lelouch would like to point out that NO it ISN'T his business and he'd be better off minding his own.

But flustered. ]

[Makoto's eyes clenched and she considered her options. Talking him out of that idea didn't seem like it would be very likely, and what did it matter? People were allowed to get the wrong idea... its just that not all of them were as vocal as this one.]

[Instead, the best idea was to just... not address it and continue with the order.]

...I take my coffee black, no sugar.

Heh. That's mature. And you, kid?

[ Kid... Very original. ]

Both, please.

[ Honestly he could take it either way. Right now he just wants to be a little bit of a pain. ]

[A telling smirk came to the man's face and for the first time he looks Lelouch in the eye. The expression he has is... not annoyance, but its not a particularly friendly one either.]

Riiiight. Just a sec, then.

[In the next instant he just... vanishes. The two mugs that have been set down are still there but there is nobody there. He reappears a few seconds later a cute little creamer and bowl with sugar cubes waiting on his platter.]

Is that all you need, your majesty?

[The look on his face was full of boyish mischief. If anything he definitely seemed to take the part of being a black cat seriously in both his decorations and his demeanor.]

[Makoto, for her part, is trying to figure out what just happened and is just staring speechless.]

[ Lelouch, on the other hand, just smiles brightly. ]

Thank you so much. Sorry to be an inconvenience.

[ He's not. At all. In fact, Lelouch might not even use the creamer or the sugar cubes. Who knows what that man with his little smirk and looks could have done to them. ]

[For a few seconds he just its there, being left hanging. If he's annoyed, then he's not letting it appear on his face.]

Cute. Well, if that is everything...

[He lingers a moment before reappearing before a counter, a newspaper in hand. For now he seemed content to read the news -- a big splash piece on the Lake Ira murder.]

[After seeing all of this Makoto completely lost the topic of conversation. She decided to just own it.]

Um.... where... were we?

Speaking of Japan...

[ Though he isn't going to expand on that. His gaze is still lingering on the man with the newspaper. Lelouch is wary enough about speaking to people about his personal life with unsuspecting people.

...Forget getting too descriptive with people he doesn't trust at all. ]

Ah... yes...

[Her gaze lowers to her coffee. She doesn't want to hear bad news, but a part of her wouldn't allow her city to be left in peril.]

...how bad is it?

It's recovering.

[ Or will be at any rate. ]

There was a war, you see. After that it takes a bit of time for any region to bounce back.

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