melodiesoflife | Hidden Truth [Log]

Hidden Truth [Log]

What: A log for everyone to gain the information in the Hidden Truth video tape.
Where: The Observatory.

There had been a flurry of letters sent out from Jack and Chiaki, first to Zelda to ask to borrow the Observatory, and then to every Hero of Light, alerting them that they had uncovered some intelligence received in the Heran Empire before the Capital had fallen to Crystal, and that everyone needed to see it immediately.

Jack, Chiaki, and a few others brought in a screen connected to a machine that some would recognize as a VCR. "With our peace mission to the Imperial Capital over Christmas, we returned with a recording made on 20th-century Earth technology, the kind that doesn't have an analogue on Crystallis. It took us time to build a machine to be able to play it. This information comes from Kalki, recorded what appears to be years ago. We obtained it from the Imperial Spy, Jenni. As of right now, we still have no reason to believe that Kalki is alive. But this comes from her, and I apologize to everyone who might be upset by seeing her again."

With that, Jack plays the recording. He stands by the screen and repeats the words for everyone to hear, for those who cannot understand English. Since Kalki's first words are to explain why she is recording it this way, it makes sense why he has to do this. He keeps his own emotions in check throughout, until the explanation of the Bard song that everyone gets to hear. That seems to upset Jack.

Once the recording is over, Jack pauses. "We will need some help from any other English speakers to create a written transcript of the recording so that anyone can access this information at any time. The tape and player will remain here for any Heroes to review. We ask that you please be careful with the machine."

Finally, Jack sits down to let the room descend into the inevitable chaos.

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Rukia's feelings were...mixed. Conflicted. Standing near the back, she didn't particularly stand out much to begin with on account of her height.

This had been the plan she'd seen herself try to carry out in the Sage's vision. She didn't remember killing Garland, however. Had someone else done it? They must have, for he hadn't appeared to stop her, nor had Palitutu. Instead, her own friends, the people she'd trusted...

Her fingers tightened on her sleeve a little, and her jaw clenched. The sage had warned them of this, hadn't he? It couldn't be a coincidence that they would find this video at about the same time as he'd called them back to visit. It was just before unveiling the new research project about the interdimensional rift. As far as she knew, no one wanted to even touch the project now, having seen what would happen if they did. Was he to be trusted? Rukia didn't know, but after seeing this video, she was more inclined to believe the sage than Kalki.

She listened half-heartedly to a few people weighing in, but ultimately, she felt she didn't really have a right to speak her own opinion. She'd thought it was worth investigating as a possible last resort, but now? She wasn't so sure. If it meant killing the Guardian, she was against it completely.

Exhaling softly, Rukia pushed away from the wall and started toward the exit. Then she stopped. That Temple Levy and Ruby had found with her... That might be worth trying. It was the only option that didn't leave her with a sinking feeling in any case.

"We found the Temple she's speaking about, in Mysidia. It seemed to indicate four Heroes of Light were to appear with the Onion Knight job mastered. I think we should try for that." Rukia still had a long way to go to achieve mastery, having only finished two out of the required ten jobs. So maybe it was time to go shake down some friendly monsters.

Jack is looking at his former roommate in deep concern, but whatever is really weighing on her mind isn't what she is speaking to.

"Who's the closest, then? I'm only at almost five jobs mastered." Jack looks around the room, and his eyes light on the people he'd bet money on being the most powerful among their ranks. Sparks, Yuna, Ramza, Cloud, Jade, Zelda. Either them or the ten year-old who could apparently curb-stomp him.

Rukia caught that look. The fact that his gaze lingered just a couple beats longer than normal seemed signal enough that he wanted to talk. Rukia was hesitant. She didn't usually open up about the things that bothered her, even when asked directly. But this wasn't just her problem, she knew. It concerned everybody. Given that Jack was orchestrating the meeting to begin with, he ought to know what happened. What he chose to do with that information afterward was up to him, she supposed.

After the meeting concluded, Rukia waited outside the building. She leaned against the wall, arms folded behind her, looking pensively at the sidewalk. When Jack exited too, she glanced up, her face solemn. It had just been a look; he might not have wanted to speak at all. So she said nothing, waiting to see what it was he wanted.

Jack was shaken up a bit in the meeting, himself, but he follows Rukia outside anyway. Sometimes it helps to throw yourself into another person's problems. He expects that he's going to have to run after her, but is surprised to see her waiting there. His eyebrows are raised in concern.

"Rukia. Sorry I didn't get a chance to warn anybody about what was in there." And yet, Rukia wasn't one of the people he expected to be upset. "What she's talking about- it makes the job ahead seem impossible. But we can do it...if we share the load. Nobody's got to take this on all by themselves." With a pointed look. He knows the look of someone carrying a burden that they probably don't have to.

He thought she was shaken up by the video? Rukia blinked at him a moment, then frowned as she directed her gaze forward. "That's not it," she said, dismissing his apology as there was certainly nothing he needed to be sorry about. "It's just a lot of information to take in at once. I'm trying to sort it out."

There was more, of course, but she wasn't sure how to put it, no matter how much she mulled over the things she should say. "What she spoke of, about merging with the Calamity to become a god. You are aware that was the role I played in the Sage's vision?" Rukia turned her head to look at him seriously. "I don't think we killed Garland, but there are a lot of events that took place I cannot fully remember. Either way, I nearly accomplished this goal."

She wanted to tell the entire story, but decided to pause there and gauge his reaction before continuing any further, if at all.

Maybe not precisely the video, but by something that was brought up by it. He listens carefully, because if he got it wrong, then what is the problem? He is very clearly surprised by Rukia's admission, but his face softens back to one of compassion. "Ah- no, I believe I was already-" dead. "I wasn't around by the time that part of the vision."

"You almost did it?" The tone is actually impressed. "But you know?" Jack's brow furrows. "You know that you aren't to blame for anything that happened in that vision?" But everyone has been holding on to it in their own ways.

Rukia stared at Jack. Of all the reactions she could have anticipated, him being impressed was not one of them. "Of...of course I know that," she replied quickly, trying to pretend the red flush in her cheeks didn't exist. "My feelings on the matter aren't what's relevant." She waved her hand quickly to dismiss the matter, since this wasn't a plea for pity or sympathy. "The point is that until now, I couldn't help wondering if perhaps I was wrong for not following through. Yuri convinced me to abandon the attempt. And yet, if that was the only option available to us, I thought it might be worthwhile to follow up and find out how it could be done. Just in case."

She folded her arms with a hard sigh, frustrated. "After seeing the video, I'm convinced the idea is a poor one indeed. It's not a matter of sacrifice. I was fully prepared to give my life if that's what was necessary to keep our worlds safe, and I still am. But I have no intention of playing the fool either. If this is the sort of thing Garland would fight to the death to prevent, then I have severe misgivings about the benefits it purportedly offers."

Her head dipped forward slightly as she closed her eyes, her brow furrowed. "I confess that I...do...feel some guilt for having considered it as an option outside of the vision, even after all that took place." And that was what really ate at her, especially after Yuri fought so hard to convince her to put her faith and hopes in finding another way.

Well, she almost became a god! That's...nuts, but kind of impressive, given the scope of impossibility of the problem! But, Jack puts it all back under wraps quickly. He takes a deep breath and gives a very understanding nod as Rukia explains herself. She doesn't want sympathy, but she's getting it anyway, too bad.

"Considering your options isn't a bad thing. We still-" Jack shakes his head. "We still didn't know what we were trying to achieve with the things we were doing in that vision. I still don't know why some people were pursuing the crystalized heroes?" Jack shrugs. "But of course you were thinking of it, we were all trying to reason it through."

"Now we know. And if you think about it again, if things get worse, and you consider 'but what if someone took control? Was Kalki right, could we fix it all this way?' That isn't bad, either. You can consider it, and come to the informed conclusion that it isn't what you want to do."

"You haven't done anything wrong."

Rukia frowned at his remark, trying to recall the circumstances. Save for a few sharply defined moments, most of what she remembered and knew had become foggy, like a dream three nights past. "Something about sacrificing a select number of heroes in an attempt to satisfy the Calamity? It's hard to recall--"

Tromp tromp tromp tromp. A rhythmic sound of dozens of high heels clicked in steady staccato. Coming around the corner appeared a huge multitude of women, some bearing signs, others simply raising their fists in the air. And they were all wearing wedding dresses.

"What do we want?"
"A fair price for cakes!"
"When do we want it?"
"NOW!"

One sign featured a picture of a bride and groom cake topper, sadly turning out empty pockets. Another said 'Raise bread, not prices!' And yet another proclaimed '60,000 Gil for Wedding Cakes is Highway Robbery!'

And they were marching straight down the street where Jack and Rukia were holding their conversation. They stamped their feet in unison, hard enough that Rukia could feel the vibrations in her ankles. They bustled past in their silks and taffeta and white netting. One of the signs bumped a window sill of the tailor shop's second floor, upsetting a flower pot that promptly fell on Rukia's head and knocked her flat.

Beware the Brides on March.

Jack's own features screw up as if he's trying to remember. The Heroes, a sacrifice...

...and then one of the strangest displays that Jack has ever seen comes up the road. What in the- That's more high heels than Jack's seen since the last time he went to Scorpio's.

The flower pot falls too quickly for Jack to interrupt, "Rukia!" He throws a hand out towards her, as if he could possibly slow its fall, but too late, the ceramic impacts with her head. No time to even glare at the disruptive protesters before Jack is at her side, checking her head. Fingers nestle into her hair to check for damage. "Rukia? Rukia." Quieter. "You there?"

There was no blood, thankfully. Just a few big shards of pottery, and a lot of soil. She raised her head dizzily, wincing as she allowed Jack to check her throbbing skull for injuries.

"Th-they didn't even apologize!" she stammered, flabbergasted at the sheer rudeness. And they'd been in the middle of a really important conversation, too! A conversation about...

...about...?

Rukia blinked blankly. "What were we discussing again?"

Cloud moved through the crowd as the video ended. Everyone was discussing the plan brought forward and he didn't expect there to be a simple answer any time soon. Kalki was still a sore spot with many of them. Even with the glimpse they had of her in Aqures Tosf and how she had helped the other Heroes there was still the question of whether she could be trusted.

And merging with the Calamity? Trying to become its will? That didn't really sound like the best plan on paper.

Cloud only caught the tail end of what Rukia said, but it caught his ear and he looked in her direction. "Onion Knight?" He was only about halfway to it himself but he had many jobs that were halfway along themselves. Including Bard. But he didn't feel like that was the best way to go either.

Before he could ask her to repeat herself he noticed the look in her eyes. He knew it pretty well at this point. Something was said in the video that hit too close to home. "Rukia...are you okay?"

Rukia's furrowed brow eased slightly at the sound of her name being spoken, and she glanced up to see Cloud's concerned face. "I'm fine," she exhaled, as the crease in her brow deepened again. "I don't enjoy realizing I was considering something foolish is all. Trying to complete ten jobs seems like our best option now."

She wasn't sure how much he knew about the role she'd played in the futuristic vision, and it was something she didn't like to share easily, nervous that others wouldn't take too kindly to her attempt to merge with the Calamity as she had.

Or that she'd still considered it a viable option (albeit a last resort) after they'd returned to their homes.

"You've been here longer than I have. Surely you must be close to finishing many of your jobs."

"Considering something foolish. You mean the song that Kalki played? I'm sure it's as strong as she says it is but we don't know if it would even work on Garland. The risk is too much and the price is too high." He really didn't know. He wasn't a party to Rukia's plots in the vision. Terra knew some of it but she never shared it with him. For all he knew those who had gone to the moon base were enacting some less terrible plan.

"I'm...about halfway. But I have a couple jobs that are halfway themselves. I probably won't be the first but if we need four people I can probably be ready in time." About a year maybe? At his current rate He'd have 9 done by December to be sure. The question was whether Bard would remain one of them. He'd lose pace if he got rid of it or Ghostbuster like he did with Vampire in favor of Dark Knight.

That wasn't quite it, but she wasn't really in the mood to elaborate. If she was giving up on the plan, then that was that. She didn't need to feel torn or ashamed about considering it in the first place.

"I'll do my best as well," she agreed with a nod. "I don't think I'll catch up to everyone else before four Heroes are able to maximize their potential, but it can't hurt to be prepared in case something happens," she sighed.

But now that Cloud was here, that reminded her of something. "...Yuki laid an egg yesterday," she told him. "I'm not sure what kind of chocobo will hatch from it. How long do you think it will take before it hatches?"

Cloud was in agreement. Just because the image she saw called for four Heroes didn't mean they shouldn't be as ready as possible. And there was no telling what their enemies might do if they thought that the Heroes were on the verge of stopping them.

"Oh! Congratulations. It may be some time, but probably not very long. Chocobos back home would hatch pretty fast. I'll ask at the ranch next time I'm there. Do you know who the sire is?" As far as he knew it wasn't Zack. Best to keep this news from his bird if so.

(ooc: was Yuki one of the chocobos who changed color? I wanna get that thing done so we can sort it out. As for hatching speed, check with the mods)

Rukia shook her head. "I'm not sure. But I've never raised a chocobo chick before. I was wondering if you had any advice on the matter." Her chocobo's name 'Yuki' no longer seemed quite so fitting, now that she was a bright green color. She'd caught her sulking and preening ruthlessly at her feathers ever since. Maybe she should consider using dye, like Cloud had for his bird.

"Well they'll be able to lend a hand with it at the ranch. I know a little bit about it but I'm a bit more trained with caring for the adult birds." Cloud frowned as he stroked his chin. "I think the first thing would be to figure out who the Sire was. That way you can figure out what to expect from the chick. Some birds are better at digging and some at running. Knowing their lineage can help with figuring out care so you can bring out their best."

Rukia wasn't too concerned with the parent of the chick. Whether it dug or run well, she intended to love the little ball of feathers, and train it to be a fine bird no matter what its talents might be.

"Perhaps," she inclined her head. "How long do you think it will take before the egg hatches? I would like to be present when it happens, if possible." Because she couldn't imagine anything more cute in all the world, unless rabbits were somehow involved.

"Hmmm, depends really but chocobos tend to hatch quickly. I'd have to see it to make a real guess. We should go to the ranch after we're done here and check it out." And if he couldn't figure it out he was sure someone there could.

(ooc: I have no clue how long they take in this game but in FF7 and Type-0 it's like...instant, so that's not realistic. FF11 was 4 Earth days....which also equates to about 100 Vana'dielian days but that time measurement was always wonky, and I think is actually a bit too long for birds, even large ones.)

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Hidden Truth [Log]

After the Translation

Re: After the Translation

Closed to Jack (Keep threading above for the meeting, that's fine!)

Re: Closed to Jack

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Now that I finally stopped laughing at this

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Re: After the Translation

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