melodiesoflife | The World of Tomorrow

One of the first to arrive is Ruby, resolving to see what this is about. Probably the odd thing about this is that she's coming in on her raptor, Monty.

Cloud remembered that letter and considering he worked at the farm it was no small effort for him to make time to be there at the appropriate time. Until then he passed the time tending to the birds as usual and chatting with any other Heroes who showed up early.

Ramza reported to the meeting place early, in part due to eagerness, and in part to check for traps. He did not wish to lead anyone in to an ambush.

But the location seemed secure to his eyes, at least for the moment. He waited, unarmed, for their host to arrive and explain their intentions.

The Barkeep was on the fence whether to go or not, but once Ramza even hinted that he was going, he knew he had to follow his housemate. He ironed his robes the night before to make the best appearance for Prajapati, then took extra time in the morning to check if Ramza was all fixed up as well.

The one who wrote the letter seemed to prefer a peaceful solution, and the Barkeep had to respect one who didn't immediately resort to violence. The Chocobo farm wasn't a dangerous location, unlike the Empire, and he was looking forward to talking out a solution with the group.

He stayed near his housemate the entire trip, keeping an eye out for any other Hero that was arriving.

Zelda arrived on time knowing that the letter was most likely sent for a reason and given that time for a reason. She had her cloak pulled tightly around her thin frame and noted those who arrived. She'd most likely be a spectator but she'd listen.

Ramza did not seem convinced, even after talking to Yuffie and Vincent, that the latter was taking his apparent-potential-future death seriously. Nor was the gunslinger that interested in a future where it happened, from what he had learned from Cloud, Terra, Yuffie, and Ramza, among others. Skeptical of peace, but willing to listen.

When he realized Ramza was going, and then Zelda as well, he made it his silent mission to also keep an eye on both. Especially for Zelda, still reeling from her loss to Crystal Stasis. Dark-clothing, familiar red-mantle, although he kept himself back. Listening, present, but not seeking to be as active as some others might.

Jack is unarmed and unarmored when he arrives, wearing the outfit that most would consider standard for him. He waves a hand in greeting to the people he knows, locking eyes with Ramza and nodding meaningfully for a moment.

Well, if nobody else is going to get this started, Jack takes a few steps towards the woman in the cloak. "If you are the one who invited us, I regret to inform you that Queen Ashelia is unable to join us. She was taken by Crystal Stasis a month ago, and hasn't awoken."

"But you asked for those of us who upheld her ideals, and so, here we are."

Nanami had shown up as well, a bit late and running. She's in her school uniform, with Hari, her moogle accompanying her because she might walk unarmed to meet someone, but she won't stay that way for long.

"Did I miss anything?"

When the dark-cloaked figure arrived at the appointed time, Ramza joined Jack in approaching her. He bowed before her.

"I am Ramza Beoulve. Thank you for meeting with us. If there is a way to bring an end to this conflict without further suffering and bloodshed for the people of Crystallis, I swear to pursue it with all my strength. These others gathered here are of a same mind."

Chrom was among the last of the Heroes to appear. He'd aimed to be as punctual as possible. Ordinarily he would strive to be early, but given that this person wished to meet with them on their own turf, showing up too early might have made the situation tense and uncomfortable, as would arriving too late. He came in his armor, but without arms. Once he saw how many others had turned up to the meeting, he was glad he'd left Falchion behind. This was quite the turnout!

He recognized more than a few of them, at least. He moved forward to offer his greetings to Ramza, as he was the only person present who had been at the meeting with Garland, but he stopped when he realized that there was a single woman standing in front of them. Was this Prajapati? She didn't seem familiar to him, but then again, it was difficult to distinguish her features from the shadow cast by her hood and the fading light.

Chrom was content to allow Ramza to act as their spokesperson, knowing that he had some measure of diplomatic skill. When he'd finished speaking, Chrom inclined his head as well, a little less formal in his manner of greeting. "Chrom," he introduced himself. "And you must be Prajapati? It's a pleasure."

“You can call me Prajapati, yes. The pleasure is mine.”

She remained silent as the Heroes spoke, tilting her head down as Jack mentioned Ashe’s fate. “I am sorry to hear this. But this might actually be a blessing.” She looked up. “When the half of your being that is the Calamity threatens to take over, the planet reacts by putting you in Crystal Stasis. And when your original self manages to overcome your calamity self, the stasis ends. That is to say if Queen Ashelia hadn’t been taken by Crystal Stasis, she would now be our enemy. Or so I have heard, anyway.”

Finally she turned around and looked at Ramza first, then at all the Heroes who had gathered in this place, one after the other.

“Do you see any differences between an innocent from Aqures and an innocent from Hera?”

He didn't think he'd be here again so soon on the Chocobo farm, much less speaking to an Avatar. Minato had tagged along with the rest of the group feeling incredibly out of place with the grand nobility of their task, but if felt like what the him in the vision would have wanted to do, and so long as he kept his voice down, he felt they would have no argument with his attendance, either.

... Heard from who, or where?

The lady seemed pretty set on judging if their intentions were true, but never having been the type to be the first among a group to speak, Minato similarly turned his quiet gaze towards the others.

"No." Jack's answer is immediate. "Nor from Mysidia or anywhere else. I have long wondered what even we would be doing now, if we had all woken up in a different place, been told a different story. I think that perspective has kept us more willing to listen. Aqures Ixen is not the only place that we are fighting for, and we regret the lives lost because we haven't found a solution yet." Jack looks down a little as he speaks. The sheer helplessness he felt about the people of the Empire shows through.

But what he said to Ramza still rings true. They do this right this time. Her words about Ashe are troubling, and Jack pauses before he goes on. "Kalki said that we each carried a piece of the calamity with us. That's what you're talking about." Jack pauses, and shifts, folds his arms. "Was she right? Are we the ones bringing this to your world?"

Ruby began to raise her hand and call out Prajipati's name before Jack asked the question she was going to ask. "Oh... um... uh... n-never mind! But, oh, wait! What do you mean by her being an enemy?"

Edited 2016-02-16 17:19 (UTC)

There were so many of them yearning to receive their answers, and so they had to be formulated properly before their pleas would become lost in an incoherent prattle. Ace lifted his eyes to study the Avatar whose words had already managed to inject his heart with a sense of doubt, struggling not to falter under the weight of her stare that she briefly reciprocated.

Jack had made a valid point that the cadet agreed with, but Prajapati's opening words still echoed in his mind and did not let it rest for how relevant they were. He had only just awakened from his stasis, which following her line of thought meant something entirely different than what they had all considered it being up until this point.

Different than the stasis he knew as the ultimate fate of a Crystal's chosen, except for one detail.

"The way you phrased it," Ace moved a bit closer, "makes it appear that Crystal Stasis could be considered a reward that frees us from our suffering. But what if we want to remain here and fight? How do you recognize the Calamity growing within you and contain it?"

"Original self? Calamity self?" The Barkeep echoes Prajapati's words while remaining in the same spot he was standing in the whole time. He came to be a neutral presence, and stepping closer or farther away from their guest would imply he had a strong opinion on this matter. "You sayin' we got two different versions of ourselves livin' on this planet? 'Cause that what it sounds like to me."

And why with the Calamity? It almost sounded like half of his soul was on the opposite side of the planet.

"But as for your question, I don't see no difference in who's in trouble, Heran or not, so long as they ain't the reason for this whole mess. Savin' this universe means savin' everybody."

"Do I see a difference? No. I don't think most of the people in this world probably want the Calamity or a war. When I met Garland in Aqures Tosf he told me in his future, now, he wouldn't be the same person. It seems like even those in power are being forced to do things because of something else, regardless of what they want..." He frowned as he thought his own words over, "Maybe that's something to do with what the Sage meant about us not being ready."

As his thoughts wandered he remembered something else. Something he hadn't been able to help with. "A few months ago some of the crystalized Heroes started attacking people while still in crystal stasis. Does that mean the Calamity took control of them?"

He regretted not being able to do his part to stop Zack from hurting people. And now considering who had joined the ranks of the Crystalized Gaian Heroes....

The thief had propped herself up on a pile of green bales tied up for chocobo consumption, and had been following the conversation by turning her head back and forth.

"Is that why the Empire goes after us, because they consider us to blame for the calamity?"

That sounded...familiar.

"If that's the case, instead of fighting us why not make an alliance and try to find a way to send heroes home?" It seemed to be, what many people wanted.

“I wouldn’t call it a reward—Only a temporary solution to a greater issue.” She nodded to Cloud and Ruby. “That is correct. What you saw back then, is without a doubt what would happen if crystal stasis didn’t exist. No, it would be worse...”

With that said, she turned to Jack to answer his question.

“I hated Kalki and she was many things, but I have never known her to be a liar.” Before turning to Barkeep and Rikku “I do not know what to think of if you are to blame. What I found of her researches made it sound like the Calamity became a part of you once you were brought to this world, not that you brought it with you. Yet, these same researches stated the Ancients first summoned you before the Calamity even came into existence. If there is any truth to this, it eludes me.”

She paused and shook her head.

“But before I answer any more questions—I would talk of the people of Hera. I have no doubt by now you know what fate befell the Imperial City.”

Chrom hesitated. Any hint of information immediately left him starved for more, and judging by the volley of questions from everyone else, he knew he wasn't the only one. The sage's vision had warned them of the danger of too much information without the wisdom to balance it out, so he was unsure if he should ask anything for himself. What was more, that wasn't the reason he'd agreed to the meeting.

So when Prajapati mentioned the people of Hera, that was when he jerked out of his quiet dilemma, and took a hasty step forward before reining himself in.

"Did they evacuate in time? What about Garland and Kurma and the others, did they manage to escape?" Chrom couldn't say he agreed with the emperor's decision to keep his people in the dark and let them meet their end ignorant of their fate, but he didn't believe he was their enemy. Not in the two-dimensional villain sort of way, anyhow. What was more, if he was the only one who could reset the loop, then they needed him no matter what their personal differences might be.

"A part of us…" K'pandolu reached into a pocket to close her fingers around her own crystal, but refrained from bringing it out, eyes still on Prajapati. The city… Did she know something about what had happened to it? "If my recollection serves me right, Esdham had reported seeing a crystalline structure in the direction of where the city had been. Do you know something about that?"

The Heroes predated the Calamity? That would be the smoking gun that Jack has been waiting for, to prove Kalki's theory at last. It still doesn't excuse a single action that she's taken. But it would finally make some sense.

Jack's eyes darken at Chrom's questions, the very same ones he wants to ask. "Why wouldn't they leave?" The question is tinged with guilt. "And how can we keep the same thing from happening to the next city?"

Ruby thinks on what's been said and asked before saying something that gives her a funny feeling actually saying it.

"What if trying to save them is the wrong solution?" she suggested. "I mean... what if the crystalization thing is actually helping?"

Ramza had kept quiet while the others responded to the idea that the Calamity was within them. But speaking of the people of Hera, he had to accept responsibility.

"We implored Emperor Garland to evacuate, but he was resigned to the destruction of the city. We... we have reason to believe the Princess Matsya helped some Herans escape when she could, but too many lives were lost, despite her efforts and ours. We failed them...but if there is any way to save them, we will."

“As I said, I will reply to your question as best as I can—I understand how important these questions are to you, and your need for information. But first, I need to speak of the reason as to why I summoned you all here. The people of Hera.” She marked a pause. “You still have time before you. They do not.”

Prajapati looked away when Ramza mentioned what Matsya had done, and only replied once they were all done speaking.

“You didn’t fail them. Word of your efforts reached the ears of the imperial troops. Those who should have taken responsibilities failed, yet you and these soldiers succeeded. Led by their own sense of justice, they evacuated civilians – sometimes by force – on airships in the last days before the Calamity reached the imperial city.”

She marked another pause, looking at them all.

“We estimate 60% of the population was successfully evacuated and now live aboard Airships. The losses have been heavy, but if it hadn’t been for you I do not believe we would have reached 05%.” She then turned to Chrom and Jack before nodding. “Kurma is safe onboard the Midgar—His Airship. We have no news of the Emperor, but I do not believe him dead. Before the Calamity reached the imperial city he entrusted a Tarutaru with power over the remainder of the Empire. Evidently, he knew what he was doing.”

“Imperial lands are being consumed by the Calamity as we speak, and the Airships upon which the people of Hera live were originally built for war, not to house an entire population.” “I want to know if the offer you made to the Emperor is still valid. The Village of which you spoke on the Lost Continent—Can it still welcome these innocents until we find a better home?” Another pause. “… Should you refuse, I will understand.”

The Barkeep sighed in relief, watching Ramza with pride. It seemed like his dangerous mission really did work out. "We'll need to find 'em someplace to live that ain't in the sky. And even if it's only 60 percent, 60 percent of a huge city's still a lotta people. We'd either have to build a whole 'nother city or split up everyone across continents."

Zelda had remained quiet standing towards the back of the gathered heroes. At the woman's words she felt herself smiling. Bright sky blue eyes looking over at Ramza. That plan had been his alone and while she didn't feel particularly close with the hero as of late she was still proud. She planned to follow his example and hoped others would as well.

"I think..." She glanced around at the others to confirm. "We'll be happy to find them a place that's far more comfortable than an air ship. We just need the details to begin sEttinger things up."

There's a hop down from her perch on the bales, unable to contain the excitement at the news. Bouncing around now in place, the former pugilist gives a victory fist pump. Focusing on the lives won. "That's great news! Of course we'll help!"

It doesn't seem the blond is able to keep still now, and after beaming a bright smile over at the cloaked Heran she begins pacing circuits between her fellow heroes. "We'll figure something out, no problem!"

Edited 2016-02-18 17:40 (UTC)

Ramza was halfway between whooping for joy and just sitting down and sobbing. He balled his hands into fists and blinked his eyes clear. After a deep, steadying breath, he nodded at Prajapati.

"We will send word to the Santa Village to prepare immediately. If there is not enough room there, we will find temporary homes elsewhere until another village can be built, as Barkeep said."

Jack lets out a stunned sound when Prajapati verifies that any of the Herans survived, let alone, so many? It worked. Doctor, it worked. For once in Jack's very long life, one of these stupid plans worked. Just like it would have for the Doctor.

Well, not quite. Because this is the point where the Doc would wish everyone well with a 'ah, you'll figure it out,' and run off to his next adventure. It's Jack's job to help them figure it out.

"That is- some very sorely needed good news, and please feel free to begin transport to the Village. I-" don't quite know what to say.

"I...assume that the Tarutaru placed in charge would be Palitulu." Problem. Jack tilts his head to the side. "Okay, we picked the Santa Village, firstly, because it is brand new construction, but also because it is neutral territory. We wouldn't want the Herans to give up their allegiance to the Empire. They are Herans, to further answer your earlier question, there is no stipulation of integrating with Aqures Ixen that's going to come with this aid."

"But, with Palitulu in charge of what's left of the Empire, Garland missing, and Kurma and Matsya with them...where does that leave them, politically? Are...they exiles from the Empire for leaving the city?"

Edited (.) 2016-02-19 02:36 (UTC)

“This is an issue that has yet to be brought up.” She looked at Jack as she answered his question. “Are they exiles, refugees or something else…? I do not know. I am not sure it even matters. Should the Calamity pursue its progression, they might soon be all that is left of Hera.”

She turned to Ramza and Rikku.

“Thank you. Our people will help in the construction and enlargement of your village.” Before turning to Zelda and Barkeep. “As for other cities… For now, this is not an option. The government of Hera will refuse any negotiations and…”

She marked a pause and looked down.

“There are deeper issues. Hera attacked Aqures Ixen last year and countless innocents die. The regent of Aqures had his nation obliterated by the Empire. All the cities across the known world house refugees who fled because of the terror and war wrought by the Empire. In a way or another, all who dwell on this world have been negatively affected by what we did. Within these past twenty years, our nation has brought death upon many.”

Another pause.

“Hera has a lot to atone for. The people might have been unaware of what happened; but they are now the ones who will have to pay the price for their leaders’ madness… Or sometimes, their leaders’ inaction. This is why I have come to you. The empire has wronged you on many occasions; your friends have suffered because of what our troops have done to them… And yet you show kindness as if nothing had ever happened. Not even the kindest men I know would show such open-mindedness after all that happened.” She slowly shook her head. “Maybe this is why you are Heroes of Light.”

Yuna had remained quiet for the duration of the meeting, her fellow heroes touching on all the points that she would have raised. At her cousin's side, there was a smile in Ramza's direction when it was brought to light that their mission had made a difference, and pride that what he had suggested had indeed saved lives.

There were things she picked out -- about the calamity living inside of them, about the theory of why some of them turned to crystal... but Prajapati's words had a kindness of their own, and while she spoke of that of the heroes' instead, the summoner couldn't help but focus on that as well.

"The people should not be judged because of their king's wrongdoing. They will have a fresh start in the Village of Santa. We can post guards to protect them if you think the Herans might be harassed there."

Ramza spoke with absolute conviction. He had helped save these lives, and it was his responsibility to protect them now. Garland had been convinced that prolonging their lives would only increase their suffering. There was nothing to do now but prove him wrong.

"Do your people have all they need to make the journey? If you have wounded, our white mages can see to them. They will not discriminate between Heran and Aqurean."

Vincent had been listening too, taking mental notes of somethings more than others and quiet in the background. He spoke up though, in response to Ramza's first statement. "Just because they are blameless does not mean they won't be judged." Just as Prajapati explained. "Even with the village being welcoming, the situation must be handled delicately and diplomatically carefully."

Tempers will flare, grudges, crimson-eyes watched their contact. Fairly sure that she understood what the problems were better than some here did. Hopefully Vincent echoing her own words and pointing them out, but from the Heroe's side--would make the more idealistic among them keep it in mind.

"Garland, Palitutu and the Sage probably all think of us as fools no matter what we do. We might as well do the right thing and help out those we can anyway." Kidd shot Ramza a nod and looked back to Prajapati. No matter how much power their enemies had, the people living under them couldn't simply be left as they were. They may not all be innocent, but there was no need to punish them for being as much pawns as the Heroes were.

"If it comes down to it, this is something we're deciding. Not Aqures ixen. The Regent's conscience can be clear knowing we're the ones making this offer and the accomodations of our own accord."

"Yeah, well, even I'm still upset over the army burnin' down half the city and almost killin' me. Can't say most of Aqures Ixen'll be forgivin' towards anyone from Hera." The Barkeep couldn't keep in all of this thoughts, not when they had a representative of the Empire standing right in front of them. There was a lot they didn't know.

"Speakin' of Hera, why does Garland have so many followers? Jenni seemed more than happy to burn the city of the ground, and Kalki was a weird case, but then there's you." He points at Prajapati. "Are you part of some rebel group, workin' high up for the intel? How're you gonna get back safe?"

Parajapati looked at Barkeep for a moment before turning toward Vincent and the others.

"This is why your village will be a more welcoming place, until we can speak of peace with Aqures." She nodded at Ramza "We have what we need for the time being. If that is alright with you, we will have our airships approach the village in the second half of March."

And finally, she answered Barkeep's questions.

"Garland drastically improved the quality of life for our people. Scientific and economical advances progressed faster than ever. Hera became the most advanced nation in the world-- It's as simple as that. Why wouldn't the people have followed a man who improved their lives in every aspects without any drawbacks? The people didn't know of Kalki's experiments, of the Calamity or of the ressource shortages. To them, Garland was a hero."

Then she marked a pause before finishing.

"As for I, you needn't worry. I have always placed the people needs above my own. At a time, it meant collaborating with Garland even when my heart dictated otherwise. Now, it means collaborating with you."

Chrom smiled, pleased by Parajapati's answers. She was a good woman who desired peace, and he wholeheartedly approved of her calm bravery. Coming here alone was no easy task, especially knowing that many of the Heroes before his time had shared bitter relations with Hera.

"I'll send word ahead to the Moogles of the Village so they can begin preparations. How many refugees should we expect? I want to ensure there's enough housing and supplies for everyone to live comfortably."

To him, these decisions could only be made by the Moogles who had built the village in the first place. As they'd already granted permission earlier, he was sure they would be delighted to assist. But if not, best to find out now so they could make other arrangements if things went sour.

Something else occurred to him, and he dipped his head forward in thought for a moment. "I do have one request. The citizens of Nabila may be in danger as well. Once your people have settled into the village, may we ask for help by way of your airships to begin an evacuation, should it become necessary?"

"It gladdens my heart to hear that," K'pandolu said, offering a shallow bow.

She put out a hand, one palm up. "Between now and then- can we manage some changes to the airships, to make them more comfortable?" It would still be some time before they reached the village, after all. And perhaps it would be sensible, if they came to need the airships again.

Ramza frowned at Prajapati's final comment. "Do your heart tell you should not work with us?" He hoped that the Heroes of Light had made a better impression than that.

"It is admirable, that you sacrifice for your people...but I hope that accepting our help is not completely objectionable for you."

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