Event || Worldwide Tourists

[eternitymods]

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.]

Comments

[chefbayardee]

So you're just... [ Hunk's eyes narrow. He's trying, Shiro. ] ...pulling from a weird reservoir of dragon magic to spit fire and do cool stuff with a spear?

[ He looks sad, though. ] What if it runs out?

[spaceforged]

I don't think it does. [He shakes his head and speaks, thoughtful and slow as if feeling out his words. Magic is not science and sometimes even the Lions confuse him.]

I don't understand it yet. But I think as long as we're conscious the magic of a job is actively available to be tapped. It comes down to us and how tired or worn out we are.

[chefbayardee]

So it's like... we're the batteries. [ The realization hits him. It reminds him of the Galra Empire's work with quintessence, but on a personalized level. If only he knew more about that stuff, it could make this conversation a lot easier for both of them. ]

Do you think someone could kill themselves if they're not careful? Just, y'know... [ He laughs weakly and awkwardly. ] ...dragon-breathes their last.

[spaceforged]

[For a second he stares at him with wide eyes. 'Dragon breathes their last'. That is not a comforting thought. He'd wondered about that possibility but to hear someone else voice it... Shiro looks down at his hands in thought then slowly shakes his head.]

I don't know. I read the guild paperwork from cover to the end page. I didn't see any sort of warning like that.

Next time I drop by, I'll ask them. Even so, I promise I'll be careful. And we can always ask our guide, [He gestures to the rather loud Zora.]

With how knowledgeable he is and carefully guiding us. I doubt he'll leave out anything we absolutely need to know.

[chefbayardee]

Yeah, the Zora's the best. [ Hunk starts beaming at the idea of Ganeshan. ] He told me that Gourmand was great for supporting my friends with my cooking!

[ And then Hunk looks a little concerned. ] I heard that the Dark Knight job hurts you, though. [ Gulp. ] Scary.

[spaceforged]

From what I heard it's all about sacrifice.

[He'd managed to get a few Dark Knights to open up doing their partying. They saw the scars and his metal arm. He'd considered the job but...it just didn't feel right.]

You give up life and to be offensively strong and capable. But...there is always a price to that. You have to be careful or you really could take yourself out.

[chefbayardee]

I don't think that's worth it. Why hit hard and risk dying? [ He sighs, his gaze going right down to the ground. ] Paladin lets you be strong and... and heal people, too. Magitek Knight makes you tough and gives you lasers.

[ Hunk looks back at Shiro, and he's very unhappy. There are even tears in the corners of his eyes. ] It just... it seems reckless. We're already all in danger, why go and make it worse?

[spaceforged]

[He steps in and grips Hunk's shoulder. His own unhappiness is kept carefully locked away as he stays steady for his teammate.] It is, but everyone has their own path. We don't have to like it.

It just means we'll have to watch their backs because they won't. [It reminds him faintly of Allura when she wouldn't listen to anyone and insisted on going on the mission with them.]

[chefbayardee]

[ Hunk lets out a little groan, but it's quickly stifled by Shiro's hand on his shoulder. Shiro knows what to say, Hunk tells himself through the tears, and so he listens. And he can't argue with that reasoning. ]

You're right. Paladins protect people. [ He smiles, because not only did Shiro know just what to say, but... ] Especially you, because you're a double-Paladin. [ ...because there was a joke he just had to make. And he starts to chuckle. ]

[spaceforged]

[He grins and laughs, stepping back and shaking his head.] I'm still a little shocked they use heavy swords. Where is the supposedly traditional one-handed sword and shield?

Feeling a little lied to. [The joke was there and like the stealth jokes he usually makes, he just does it.]

[chefbayardee]

[ The best days are the ones where Shiro makes a joke. They're always such a pleasant surprise! So Hunk can't help but laugh at the remark. ] I know, right?!

If it came with a shield, we'd both be double-Paladins. [ And Hunk just shakes his head and shrugs. Alas. He really did miss being able to hide behind a shield, though. ]

But Shiro, I gotta ask. [ He's giggling again, and gestures for his friend to hold that thought. ] With all that light, why couldn't they see that a shield would be great for defending people?

[ He made a joke. A horrible, stupid pun. And now he's cracking up. He doesn't even care if it's funny at this point. ]

[spaceforged]

[Shiro snorts, laughing harder. He shouldn't take cracks at his fellow Paladins but really. What he'd seen in that guild.]

I think they're a bit too busy keeping track of their rules. And drilling. I saw less formality at the Garrison and you know how Iverson is.

At least the Dark Knights know how to party. [Even if it was out of spite or just plain we aren't showing you, you have to learn stubbornness.]

[chefbayardee]

[ Thinking about it, Hunk's pretty sure this is the most he's ever seen Shiro laugh! It's bizarre that bad Paladins was what it took to get more than a moment or two of laughter, but he's not complaining. ]

If Iverson couldn't handle it, that guild would probably knock me for such a loop I'd throw up! [ And Hunk snorts as well, completely failing to stifle a laugh at his own joke. Later, he'd have to tell Shiro about their test flight the day before they left Earth. So embarrassing. ]

Shiro, I... didn't know you knew how to party. [ Hunk's eyes go wide, his jaw drops, and a faint "haha, whaaaaaat..." creeps out of his mouth as he stares at his teammate. Sure, they might be using different definitions of party, but it's still surprising. ]

[spaceforged]

[He meets Hunk's surprise with a small smile and raising both his eyebrows. It's true the entire time his paladins have known him he like Keith kept working when they were relaxing. They're in the middle of a war and as their leader he has to be ready for it.]

I do know. I was a cadet not that long ago. There just hasn't been time for it between all our missions and learning as much as I could about the universe as a whole from Allura and Coran. [He might not have been as crazy as his fellow cadets but he knows how.]

And I think anything is partying compared to that guild.

[chefbayardee]

Shiro, you need to learn to relax. Get a hobby! [ And then he starts giggling, because he just got a horrible idea. ] Be the team's party planner when we get back! Can you imagine Coran trying to dance?

[ Because Hunk can, and he just bursts out laughing at the notion. ]

[spaceforged]

[He coughs into his closed fist. More likely Coran will probably be pretty good but the thought of dancing reminds him of Keith. He’s seen him in training and against opponents with his sword flashing and his movements fluid like as if he were made of water. Should he say it? Nah. A smile dawns and he crosses his arms on his chest.]

How about you and Lance plan it. You’re both very good at it. But I’ll promise to dance with all of you. Each person gets to pick what sort of dance. It could be pretty fun.

[chefbayardee]

No way! [ His tone is forceful, but he's still smiling. ] Lance doesn't get near this, he'll just try to slow-dance with Allura the whole time.

[ And then he just starts cackling, because poor Lance. Hunk was gonna have to take this idea and run with it, though. ] What if we try to get some weird alien dances, like from the Arusians? [ And now he's almost laughing too much to keep speaking! ] We'd be on fire!

[ And now he's killing himself via laughter again. ]

[spaceforged]

[He can't help it. Shiro silently folds in half and shakes with silent laughter. The joke is awful but it's great at the same time. He breathes in and his breath shutters out in a reflexive laugh.]

We'll be great. I'll leave it fully to you then. [He glances at everyone of the displaced moving towards the doors and the Zora man at their lead. He turns, the laughter fading away as he falls into his usual tone of voice.]

But we need to get going. Everyone is on the move again.

[chefbayardee]

[ In all honesty, seeing Shiro doubling over with laughter was a feather in his cap, a gold medal he'd keep with him for as long as his memories chose to preserve it. But the idea of having to plan a party for the team was a little stressful now- it had to be great! And it made him start to worry about if they'd find the others.

At least until Shiro returns to typical-Shiro tone, and reminds him that they have places to be. ]

Y-yeah, you're right! We don't wanna get left behind. [ And he starts to walk, fully expecting Shiro to do the same. On the bright side, he's pulled out his iMog Slate and started to Moogle "how to set up a party." Even though they were in an unknown world, Hunk was glad they could laugh like old times. ]