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

[Her gamble paid off, and she was grateful for the support. She made sure to give him a soft smile in appreciation.]

Thank you. And I agree.

[A further realization dawned on her. Although she was given a seat, she was not given the opportunity to order. While the boy's actions helped for now she was going to come back pretty soon.] I don't know if I can recommend this cafe. And its not as though there aren't other ones available.

I would recommend a hasty retreat.

[She closed up her purse to make clear she intended to do just that.]

No thanks needed. I kind of did it for my own self-satisfaction as well.

[ No reason not to be honest about that. Still, he huffs a little bit of a laugh when she starts packing up her things. Can't recommend, huh? ]

I think you're probably right. Maybe the next one will actually let you speak. Novel concept, I know.

[ And really Lelouch could use a cup of tea or something himself. ]

[She shoulders her purse and stands up.]

I would like to thank you properly. Please let me buy you a beverage of your choice at another cafe.

Its the least I could do. Otherwise I might have had to buy three appetizers and an entire cake.

[ Honestly it's probably a bad idea. Getting himself too involved with others is likely a bad idea. On the other than, he does need to know a little about everyone that he can. ]

I was thinking about a cup of tea, actually. So if you're offering, it'd be rude to refuse.

Yes, that sounds good. Now, we should probably get going before--

[AH! The silhouette of the attendant was just making her way out from the kitchen.]

Oh no! There's no time to delay! Retreat! RETREAT!!

[There's a brief moment when her knee bumps into the table and she hobbles out from her chair. But after regaining her balance she is SO GONE.]

[Keeping an eye on the boy to make sure he's following behind okay.]

[ Lelouch whirls around to see the attendant coming and agrees. He goes to follow after the girl, but it's definitely not with the pace she took off at. Lelouch does isn't meant for any feats of physical endurance.

But at the very least isn't about to be caught. ]

[Fortunately they didn't need to run very far before they came across a road that would break the line of sight to the cafe. Makoto banked a sharp turn to run down the path.]

[Reasonably sure that the waitress couldn't leave too far from the restaurant, Makoto slowed to a halt to wait for the boy. When he appeared past the corner she motioned him towards the path.]

[...hopefully she was right about the persistence of the waitress...]

[ Makoto's likely right. It's not like the waitress can just abandon her job to chase down two teens.

Lelouch heads over her way, seeing the girl wave him down. He's slower. Always slower. A little out of breath even if the distance hadn't been that far. ]

That should do it, I think...

[Makoto had to hold back a chuckle at that display. She hadn't had to run like that for a while, but this kid? He looked like a strong gust would knock him over. She supposes that's probably more of how a normal person would react to suddenly have to go into a full sprint.]

Yeah... I'm sorry if you weren't prepared to run.

[She offers a polite smile.] I should probably start jogging more, myself.

No. It's not that. My strengths lie in academia not physical prowess...

[ It hurts to admit that. But it's the truth. There's no fooling anyone here. ]

You seem to be in good shape even if you say you need to jog more.

[Her heart jumps a little, but calms down just as fast. Compared to the other covers she's had to have for her "extracurricular activities," this one was easy.]

Oh, yes. Where I'm from physical exercise is considered very important. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind. [She chuckles.] I guess I just took that part seriously.

Are you going to be okay? We can wait for you to catch your breath.

I'd argue about it leading to a healthy mind. [ He's just find without all that nonsense thank you. ] More power to you either way.

[ And with that Lelouch casually waves away the concern. He might not be able to keep up, but he recovers fairly quickly. ]

It'd be better to sit.

[She's disappointed at hearing his dismissal to exercise, but she supposes a quip would not be sufficient to convince somebody to adopt a new lifestyle.] You wouldn't be alone. Many of my classmates had a similar view.

[But seeing as the boy doesn't really want to move too much, Makoto decides to just go for it and go to the nearest cafe she could find.]

Um... [She scanned the nearby markets and was able to find a sign that reads "The Black Cat Cafe" in what can most generously be described as a small little nook of a place.]

How about that one?

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)

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