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

Jade Curtiss | OTA

[jeido]

[Lavode - Painting The Town Red]

[Jade is no stranger to such reverences, but he cracks an amused smile all the same when one of the members of the guild do kiss the hand of some of the newcomers--him thankfully not included. Once the pleasantries are over with, he finds himself observing the demonstrations intently, impressed with their bladework. While handling a sword isn't too familiar to him, having a base familiarity with most spells used around this world seems like an interesting boon, as with a similar ability to imbue his weapons with the power of the elements.

Once he gets his asterisk, he can be found either participating in one of the demonstrations, smiling as he holds a simple rapier to the side.]

Thank you for being my partner for the day. I'll do my best to make this worth your while.

[Or perhaps, chasing after someone who has dropped one thing or another while in town.]

Pardon me, but it seems you've dropped this.

[Is what he says once he catches up with the said person, accompanying it with a small and polite bow quite characteristic of his class.]

[Safer Osu - Not Something You Want To Drag On]

[Familiarity is another important thing to Jade, which is why he chooses this particular secondary. But the brochures don't quite prepare him for the extent in which these Dragoons take their skills--nothing at all like anything he's familiar with. Or at least, that is the case for these jumps and stunts they're capable of.]

That's quite the task they're expecting out of an old man like me...

[He says with a slightly overdramatic sigh.]

[Kiddilion - Just Kiddin' Around]

[With all his asterisks acquired, Jade finds himself free to explore, quite interested in checking out the Black Mage Guild for future reference. The demonstrations are not mindblowing, but perhaps impressive for their scale. It takes a good amount of self-control to properly manage the elements, after all, and this world may not be an exception in that regard.

More interesting, however, might be the town itself--quite different from the brighter places he's been to. The air is rife with distrust, with most citizens keeping to themselves and to their own business. Still, the selections of the markets here are quite wide, and with respect to the price of the items, Jade simply window-shops instead of picking up anything.

It is in the course of doing so that Jade finds himself jostled, then treated to some accompanying shouts from behind. Of someone shouting after a thief, who is presumably the one that bumped into him earlier.

Perhaps you're the one whose purse was stolen. Or perhaps you are simply a passerby interested in helping out. But whatever the case is, Jade is chasing after this Bangaa thief, who also actually made the fatal mistake of making away with Jade's then empty wallet.]

I want to paint it red

[fatefulprincess]

[ Red Mage is the only class that Corrin feels completely comfortable with. She knows how to wield a sword and is familiar with flinging spells from tomes. Thank you Nohr Noble class. So it seems like the most practical one for her to have.

She takes her stance across from her sparring partner with a smile. ]

We're all beginners here. All experience is worthwhile.

Excellent

[jeido]

I suppose it is. But when you get to my age, it isn't as easy to put up a good fight against you youngsters. It'd be an honor to learn more from you in this regard.

[After a small pause, Jade accompanies his words with a bow, smile still in place as he shifts his footing slightly. Handling a blade is still a foreign experience to him, and while his spar with Shiro helped out with some basics, he feels he's still got some way to go before he's confident to try anything out in an actual battle.]

Shall we begin, then?

I am bad at writing sparring scenes so please forgive

[fatefulprincess]

You don't look that old, honestly. And if you want to help, I'd be happy to spar and teach you what I know.

[ The offer is there at any rate. Corrin isn't greedy when it comes to helping others. ]

Okay. Here I come!

[ Which means Corrin takes off, darting forward. The way she holds a blade isn't really much like fencing, but that can't effect things too much, can it? ]

Me too tbh

[jeido]

[Corrin seems to know her way around it, at the very least. Everyone does, actually--it's strange how familiar it feels in his hand, despite the fact that his experience in this regard is of the limited variety. But relevant techniques are another matter, and even if he's got a few basics down, he's still far from being a match against people with more experience wielding a one-handed blade. While he manages to parry most strikes, a few do slip through, and the motions of blocking still don't feel quite natural as he would when wielding a spear.]

...Hmm, you're quite good. [He says as he takes a few steps back after that exchange.] I take it you're not unused to wielding one-handed blades?

[Her movements could be faster, he thinks, but they were smooth enough for him to surmise some sort of background.]

Just Kiddin' Around

[mythmaker]

[Is that Jade-san?

One moment, Azusa is minding her own business as she window-shops. She has nothing to fear, because a particularly chivalrous Hypello and an ex-con Moogle have both decided to keep an eye on her, following her from a distance to make sure no one messes with her. She's thankful for the help, really, since she's starting to think maybe, just maybe, this place is a little shady?

But the next moment, she sees Jade running towards her. She doesn't see the Bangaa. She steps into the street and waves at Jade, about to call him over, when she remembers to pick up the weapon she'd borrowed from the Bard Guild. She reaches out for it, quickly turns, and—her weapon slams right into the Bangaa's face. Given that she's decided to try studying the trombone, it's enough to send the Bangaa flying flat on his back, dazed for a few seconds.]

Eh? I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there...are you alright?

[She stares down at the Bangaa she just knocked flat, and then looks back up at the now much closer Jade.]

Jade-san, is he a friend of yours? I can explain...

[jeido]

I suppose "friends" sounds about right, though I believe an explanation isn't necessary.

[Jade says when he finally catches up, not at all winded. Something has to be said about the benefits of having such a speedy passive job, though Jade has the feeling the novelty of which would soon wear off once all this becomes more routine, or perhaps taken advantage of. But in either case, he wastes no time in searching the Bangaa's belongings, fishing out a purse that looks like it belongs more with a frilly old lady, along with a nondescript wallet that presumably is his own.]

I'll be taking this.

[He offers the fancy purse to the middle-aged lady who catches up with them around then, her thanks tenfold as Jade modestly tries to shake her off, waving his hand noncommittally as she tries to offer him some gil for his trouble.

In the meantime, the Bangaa stirs from his dazed stupor, mumbling something about Jade having his wallet. Jade pretends not to hear it, bowing slightly as the woman leaves them. He has every intention of turning over this wallet to the authorities, but for now he'll play along with pretending that intends to keep it for himself.

Once she's gone, he turns to Azusa, a casual smile on his face.]

I'd have to say, this is the last place I expected to see you around. It's quite fortunate you've found an escort of sorts.

[His gaze falls on her dual tail not too far back, both of whom he directs a small nod of acknowledgement and thanks.]

[mythmaker]

[Azusa watches the entire scene of Jade looting this person unfold. She's sure she's missing something here, but no one seems to be berating her for accidentally clobbering someone with a trombone? Maybe they didn't notice. That's a relief. She seems to be missing a few details...

...but ultimately, she decides it's not important. She'll just focus on what Jade is saying and act like the Bangaa isn't even there.]

I see...you two seem awfully close, sharing money like that.

[She continues to watch the exchange. Oh. So he was a thief, maybe? Well, it doesn't seem important enough to ask about. If he is, the situation's been resolved, and she doesn't feel like she's in any danger. The Bangaa on the ground asks for a hand up, but she pretends not to hear him.]

I got turned around after visiting the Black Mage guild...and I have to admit, window shopping is a favorite hobby of mine. I'd love to come back when I have more money. Wouldn't it be good fun to buy gifts to bring home to our friends?

[She's not sure when that will be, but Jade will come to learn that Azusa isn't too terribly concerned with being here if he hasn't already. At the mention of her escorts, she turns, waves to them, and turns back.]

I'm very glad to have them. There used to be three, but...he proposed to me so I asked him to leave. What brings you out here, Jade-san?

[She's going to move from that questionable topic right into a different one.]

[jeido]

I see.

[Jade hums noncommittally. There are indeed several points of concern with regard to what Azusa just said, but at the end of the day, as long as these smitten individuals don't follow them all the way into their temporary housing and give them trouble, he doesn't find it to be his concern.]

While I wouldn't call the act fun, I suppose bringing something home has its merits.

[The thief Bangaa calls for Jade to return the wallet again, but is cut short by a much larger, brawnier Bangaa that puts an arm around him, gruffly asking if he had business with the kind folks over there. It seems there's no shortage of people feeling a surge of protectiveness towards Azusa, and perhaps may have mistaken Jade for a very androgynous lady in that red mage garb.

Still, Jade continues to pointedly ignore the exchange, smiling again as he speaks to Azusa.]

Since we both have the same agenda around the place, why don't we go together and give your escorts a break?

[It seems like a good opportunity to get to know about the only flower of a kind in their household, at the very least.]

Paint it Red

[poisonwish]

[There was something savage in the way of a kukri that Snow White missed. The juxtaposition of that weapon against the rest of his elegant flair. The rapier had always been Cinderella's weapon and it felt strange in Snow's hand, even with the strange magical sense of familiarity that the asterisk provided.]

[He was sure he'd be able to pick up another weapon somewhere else. For now, he was stuck with what the guild provided.]

I appreciate the effort. [Snow smiled and took his stance.] For that, and for being one of the few not trying to kiss me.

[jeido]

Oh?

[Jade says as he positions his blade in front of him, his grin unreadable.]

How certain are you about that?

[poisonwish]

[Snow faltered for a moment and stared.]

Are you serious?

[He'd had such high hopes. He knew he was gorgeous, naturally, but he had things to do besides swat away flirts and suitors. He had goals to accomplish.]

Not Something You Want to Drag on, good lord the puns

[spaceforged]

I'm sure you'll do just fine. [Shiro plants his spear butt against the ground and stares up at the dragoons flipping over their heads. The thought of doing that himself at that speed puts a grin on his face.]

You move fast, [He looks up again, and sighs almost content.] I'll jump if you will. Come on.

We can absolutely do this.

You're welcome

[jeido]

[That unusual, but not exactly unwelcome, contented sigh from his companion causes him to crack a smile--a far cry from his exaggerated worries earlier.]

I suppose I can't say no to such an earnest invitation.

[It's almost second nature when he wills his spear to disappear into his arm. But when it doesn't, he chuckles to himself and gives the spear a casual twirl before following suit as Shiro and planting it on the ground.]

Then, I'll be in your care. [Shiro's good mood is rather contagious, though that's not entirely the reason why Jade's back to being cheerful. Handling a spear is more familiar to him, and gives him a good sense of security despite the abilities he's lost and supposedly gained as a result.] By your leave, Shiro.

I'm leaping for joy

[spaceforged]

[He flashes him a bright smile and shoves the visor on his helmet down. He counts down like he used to when signaling to the air traffic controls. Then he leaps letting the power of the dragon roar through him.

It's the closest thing to flying he can get and it sends his heart soaring.] This is incredible...

[He breathes and turns just like they'd shown him to down, spear point aimmed down as he cuts through the sky. The wind whips past his face but the familiar stomach drop he used to use to judge the precise moments to pull up out of dives isn't present. He almost misses the moment to brace himself. The impact punches him up through his boots.

Shiro spreads his feet further apart to keep from toppling over.]

...So, enjoy yourself?

I ain't surprised considering how we'd all jump at the chance

[jeido]

[It's not uncomfortable, nor is it Jade's idea of a good time, but it certainly is novel. Being up in the air in that manner is nothing like the experience of riding the Albiore, as with the amount of control afforded to him.

Still, while jumping and aiming a spear at a target is by no means a new experience to him, the height of this leap and the absence of certain motion cues is certainly foreign, and it's what causes his landing to impact a lot more heavily than it should, shattering the target he was aiming for along with the better part of the ground around it. To say that he's an old man that's in need of help may not be a complete lie anymore at this point, given how unsteady his legs feel for a good few moments before he's able to pull up from his kneeling position into something resembling a half-stand.]

These legs aren't what they used to be, but I suppose the experience has its good points. Yourself?

drags on forever

[uponjade]

[ Seth is here primarily because it's one of the closest things she knows to familiar. Not that there's anything about lances or spears she's familiar with in terms of use. On the other hand acrobatics are something she's comfortable with. She looks over at Jade with a half-smile and a shrug. ]

Don't worry. One of the worst things that could happen is shattering your bones.

[ She's here for support, really. ]

bless, I laughed at that response

[jeido]

Oh, that wouldn't be the worst of it, I imagine.

[Jade says grimly, but the small twinkle in his eye tells another story--that of someone simply rolling along with an amusing train of thought.]

Imagine, a poor, gil-less old soul like me racking up insane treatment bills as a result! That would be a tragedy of the highest order, wouldn't you say?

Just Kiddin' Around

[conniemaheswaran]

Connie, on her own, is not very intimidating. She was just under five feet in height, and while she had impressive tone for her age, her muscles weren't incredibly obvious unless one looked for them. That was on her own, however.

When decked out in full Magitek Knight gear, Connie was a different story entirely. The girl is clad in plate and leather armor, with a few distinctly magitek flairs. Hand-etched arcanagrams carved around glowing apetures on her pauldrons, from which streams of indigo energy flow into meticulously-crafted gauntlets quietly whirring with stabilization servos to balance their latent power. Broad strips of nickel with runic microcircuits embedded in the metal run down Connie's spine, her limbs, and her ribs.

A pair of goggles programmed with a practical encyclopedia of mechanical and magical knowledge are wrapped around her forehead. Her gunblade hangs at her hip, a basic model that Connie has nevertheless taken the time to customize with a variety of personal modules. She wears a leather longcoat over the rest of armor, with pockets full of mechanical and magical odds, ends, and tools.

As such, she's fairly confident when she steps out in front of the thief, gauntlet extended towards their chest and aglow with magitek energy. "Stop right where you are," she says icily.

[jeido]

[That certainly is the last thing Jade expects to see around in this place, but then again, it isn't like he was expecting he'd be robbed of his mostly empty wallet. Truly, this Bangaa thief has much to learn with regard the art, especially if he's letting himself be fooled with Jade's classy, but nonetheless generic Red Mage garb.

For now, he takes a step back to watch the events unfold, in quite a good spot to intervene if so necessary. That, and he's interested in keeping himself away from the path of a magitek laser, even if the Bangaa doesn't share the same sentiment, giving Connie a gruff "Huh? A kid?" before attempting to force his way through.]

WHO WANTS TO DRINK FROM THE FIRE HOSE

[conniemaheswaran]

According to Connie's calculations, all of the elemental lasers available to her had roughly the same potency, although the means by which they dealt damage varied. Thunder Lasers inflicted relatively minor burns and could permanently damage the target's nervous system; Fire Lasers left behind nasty third- or second-degree burns; and Blizzard Lasers had a tendency to inflict a bad case of frostbite in addition to the damage wrought by ice shards. Aqua "Lasers" were relatively tame by comparison, they just left their unfortunate target sodding wet with a high probability of broken bones, fractures, bruises, and a wounded ego. They also had serious stopping power.

"Have it your way, then," Connie says. With all of her experimentation with the elements available to her in mind, Connie taps the palm of her hand with her pinkie then snaps her fingers. The streams of energy connecting her pauldrons to her gauntlets pulses a navy blue. A complex runic arcanagram flares to life around the aperture in the palm of her hand, and a jet of highly-pressurized water with enough force to send weighted training dummies flying several feet backwards is fired into the thug's stomach at point-blank range from her palm.

Unfortunately, her gauntlet flies apart with the force of the blast, scattering across the street, each component sopping wet. Thankfully, she manages to grab the crystal before it can escape, but the rest of the Laser is now as good as gone.

someone thirsty for punishment, ofc

[jeido]

"Wh--"

The Bangaa doesn't expect it at all, eyes widening as he takes the hit point-blank. Unfortunately, it has the consequence of sending his stolen possessions flying off along with him, straight into a makeshift stand. To say that the shop owner looks plenty miffed would be an understatement--the Bangaa shopkeeper is downright livid, shouting at the thief before throwing an accusing stare in Connie's general direction. Though fortunately, perhaps, he doesn't spot Connie (yet--or better, never), not quite aware that the magitek knight he's looking for is way younger than expected.

In the interest of damage control, Jade steps in and approaches the merchant, bowing deferentially before launching into an explanation of the situation, the woman whose purse was stolen in tow. Her thankful tears seem to mollify the shopkeeper, as with the promise to pay for the repairs of his stand.

Once that's settled, with the promise of authorities being alerted along with Jade retrieving his wallet, Jade returns to where Connie is, a smile on his face.

"That's quite a lucky turn of events."

red red red

[rivieran]

Oh, Jade.

[ Of the many days Ena's here hanging out at the guild, she finds Jade after he's already obtained his asterisk. Never mind if he's ready to spar someone else, she walks right up to him and calls his name. ]

Fancy seeing you here. What attracted you to the Red Mage Guild?

[jeido]

[Thankfully for the two of them, Jade has just finished up with a spar, in quite a good mood courtesy of some new lessons learned.]

Greetings, Princess. [He gives her a small bow.] I could say the same for yourself. But to answer your question, I found the versatility of the class quite appealing.

[He'll elaborate more on that later, but for now, he's curious about Ena's answer.]

[rivieran]

[ Ena smiles when he bows, nodding her head only slightly in return.

The versatility aspect was one thing she hadn't thought about. It was just normal to her. ] That's interesting. Now that you mention it, spells and other martial arts don't seem to mix very much in our options, do they?

[ She motions to the rapier in Jade's hand. ] I relied quite a lot on my magic in my home realm. I also had basic fencing training thanks to my brother, for when I couldn't use my magic. I suppose you could say it all feels familiar.