Event || Revelations

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the Heroes of Light and their Moogles.
Where: Order's Sanctuary, The Interdimensional Rift and their Homeworlds.
When: August 03rd - August 30th

Summary: Following the battle against Palitutu, all the Heroes of Light were transported into the Interdimensional Rift. They were told by Palitutu they would have to find her to prove they can break the cycle-- But before they could reach their destination, a malevolent entity from the Rift stripped them from their immortality...

And now, they woke up in a decaying and dying world, most specifically in a place called Order's Sanctuary. From there they are ready to jump... Into their homeworlds! Feel free to use this post for the Mingle at Order's Sanctuary and should your homeworld be the stage for the Heroes of Lights' next adventures, feel free to make a thread for it and as many sub-thread as necessary! Please refer to the OOC Post for questions and plotting.

Warning: Whatever you come up with.

Comments

Reno -- Amatomnes - WARNINGS IN SUB-THREADS

[shinra_dog]

Reno remembered the Interdimensional Rift from the sage's vision, or at least opening it. He'd been working on opening it again in Palitutu's laboratory, whether that was a smart decision or not. But he understood the basic principle -- it would be a way to cross the divide to return to their world, or presumably any world, from Crystallis. So it could be assumed that these portals would lead to those other worlds. Too bad he couldn't see where the portals led.

He'd just have to go with his gut. Reno took a breath and stepped through.

He, and the Heroes who go with him, arrive in a dark, Greco-Roman style temple. Distantly, they can hear the call of gulls and smell the salt of the sea. The temple is surprisingly empty but for a large altar, holding two candles and a lily, and a few other sparse decorations of death. It is unnaturally cold.

"Oh shit..." he whispered. This was not the world he wanted.

Re: Reno -- Amatomnes - WARNINGS IN SUB-THREADS

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud looked around curiously at the space around them. The place seemed quiet and peaceful enough, but that chill did cut into his bones and gave him a sense of unease.

"Reno...do you recognize this place?"

Amat!Sheena

[ninjainviolet]

The voice had come out of nowhere, breaking through her dreams. Thanatos requesting she come to his Temple because something odd had occurred and his High Priestess wasn't suitable for this situation.

But Sheena was.

And that was all he told her before leaving her mind, remaining quiet as she tried to get him back to explain. Typical. As much as she understood and liked Thanatos... Did he really have to act like a God right now--all mysterious and shit?

Awakened and dressed in her normal attire, the ninja made her way to the Temple, her guard more than up as her long ponytail swayed across her back in a gentle breeze.

She might look familiar to some, but these little discrepancies would be a clue that she wasn't the one they knew. Well...all except one, whose red hair immediately caught her attention as soon as she stepped inside.

"Reno?!"

[shinra_dog]

Reno was about to answer Cloud's question when a familiar voice broke into his thoughts.

"Sheena?" His face lit up immediately, a smile burst from ear to ear. "Sheena!"

He rushed to her, scooped her up tightly, and spun her around. He then informed her, very seriously, "I know you're mad -- but if you yell at me, I won't let you go."

[charming_jerk]

Johnny had lagged behind the group a little, distracted less by the scenery and more by the mysterious object now around his neck. After struggling uselessly against it for a few moments, he caught up with the others.

"Okay, what the fuck is this thing ar--"

Is that Sheena with Reno there? She hadn't stepped through with the rest of the group. What was going on?

"Uh, okay, what the fuck is going on."

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud turned to look back at Johnny as he heard the voice behind him, and in that motion felt the weight of the collar around his neck. He tugged at it as well for a second before responding.

"I'm....not really sure. We just got here, and she walked in, but that's...." That's not the Sheena he knows, right? She didn't come along with them on this trip, and how would she come through the door in front of them if she had.

"Reno? Is this..." He gave a little nod and a widening of his eyes, trying to quietly ask about Sheena. He then gave his collar another tug. "And what's with this?"

Enchanted Clothing

[shinra_dog]

The Temple of Thanatos was already in the Third District. Reno figured they'd be efficient about their scavenger hunt and headed toward Enchanted Clothing. It was a long-shot -- he didn't know if Little Bastard was still even on the island, and Ishida would likely have re-purposed the fabric by now. Who else would have use for little cactuar-sized sweaters? But it was worth checking.

[maraich]

Who else indeed. There was one man on the island who had ample use for clothing shops. Maraich was there to take his mind off of home stresses and general island stresses, easily recognizable by the 80's rock star hairstyle and petite, feminine figure.

He had a pile of clothes in his arms and hummed rather merrily. Whatever zany antics were happening on the island this time, it wasn't his problem, damnit.

[charming_jerk]

Johnny can't feel anything but uncomfortable on this island, especially with the collar around his neck, so he set to work right away, looking for what they needed. The sooner they get out of here, the better.

Normally, clothes wouldn't be something he'd be concerned about. But after a year and a half on Crystallis, he'd welcome anything that wasn't the local fashion. He's supposed to be looking for some kind of tiny sweaters, but as he pops into the shop, his eyes immediately go to the jeans section.

The half demon gives a quick wave to the person working in the store as he enters. "Um, hey."

[maraich]

"Hey," he answered with a friendly flutter of his eyelashes. "You new here?"

He didn't talk to everyone on the island, but he'd been around a while and he didn't recognize this guy. And, for just a bit, whatever the hell Atia was doing was not his problem. He was going to go on about his own business and have a very pleasant, uneventful time.

His own collar was a little tight, but he had some time.

[shinra_dog]

"Play nice, Maraich. He's kind of my favorite." Reno walked in after Johnny and greeted his old friend with a peck on the cheek. "But if it's alright with him..."

He shot a wink to Johnny, knowing things were awkward for everyone as it was. But being back here, back with people who recognized him for... well, other things besides being a "hero?" He had to admit, it was pretty nice for the ego.

"Ishida here?" he asked hopefully. The guy was managing, like, four businesses...

The Farm House (cw: mentions of death, nudity, drugs)

[shinra_dog]

Reno was happy not to have had to stay in the hospital for longer than necessary. Ratchet was busy with a patient, and Victor was currently at home. It worked out well enough -- they'd have to go to the farmhouse to retrieve any items Victor still had of Reno's. And Reno wanted to see Leo, anyway. Meg... well, he supposed he didn't mind if she saw him back around.

He just hoped they weren't in the lab or stoned so someone would hear him knock on the door.

[jolting]

Victor was home alone for a change. Most people when they visited didn't knock, so he was curious who it was. Opening the door gave him a surprise. "Reno?" He could probably count on one hand how many times Reno dropped by the farmhouse.

"You know," he said with his usual smirk, "people usually call first if they want a booty call." What could he say, he liked poking Reno. It was how their relationship worked.

[not_most_days]

Standing a few feet behind Reno, Mary's eyebrow went up at the greeting he received. Perhaps his spending time here did a few steps towards explaining why he got Saori that copy of the kuposutra. Of course, he could have been like that regardless as well.

Jokes aside, it was good that the people they were meeting knew him and remembered him fondly. There were more difficult ways this trip to this world could have been going. "Another friend of yours, Reno? And one we don't know yet. Care to introduce us?"

(ooc: opting in for aphro trap)

[needsteaplz]

Saori had decided to tag along as well, standing next to Mary. She had to agree this world's influence would've explained a few things about Reno, but hey he's still her porn-sharing buddy no matter what.

"Also, what exactly is this place?"

[ooc: opting in for aphro trap as well]

[jolting]

"And you brought guests." Victor's tone was less playful now. He didn't recognize either of these women. "Well, come on in, I guess." He stepped aside so Reno and his companions could enter.

The first thing the guests would notice was the mural of Florence in the living room. If they knew anything about Leonardo da Vinci's style, they would know the mural was his doing. The whole farmhouse had a charming rustic feel to it, with the occasional modern convenience like a sound system or the kitchen with all the needed appliances.

"Have a seat." Victor gestured to the various couches and chairs available. The least he could do was be a good host.

Closed to Kyo

[shinra_dog]

Reno couldn't put it off any longer and still claim he had even half a heart. Johnny had been good not to say anything. He knew Kyo's name well. Reno called it out often enough.

When they had a quiet moment, Reno took advantage of the opportunity. He didn't know when he'd have another chance. He didn't know where their exit portal might appear. He didn't know if this would be the last he'd see of Kyo... for real. So they had to talk now.

"Kyo..." Reno pulled the cat aside gently, glancing over his shoulder. "Can I... Can we talk?"

heartbreaks

[cat_cursed_13]

“Hm?” Kyo glanced over his shoulder at the touch, but silently moved with the pull afterwards. Slipping away from the rest until they were aside. Just the two of them. He wasn’t going to say he didn’t expect it. Ever since returning to this place and joining the ragtag group that came here as well, something had been off. The tension that seemed to flit through the air whenever he was around the rest of the group. Or, more like around Reno. And Johnny. It didn’t exist when the others were there, Sheena, Maraich, that other cat girl (don’t think he didn’t notice her).

So he moved with him, coming to a halt. He would have felt more comfortable with a wall between them… or a door… or anything. It was something he grew up with, preferring to have something obscuring sight whenever he had to talk about something important. It didn’t factor in much when he’d been alone with Reno in their apartment; there’d been no need. He was comfortable around him. But now…

He didn’t know any more than the Turk… his Turk… They could be gone again the next time he closed his eyes. For a while, Kyo was silent. The feelings were still there. Intense and poignant. “Are you okay?” he asked softly. The question probably meant anything but its words for Reno, but he had no idea how to approach this. Or even if he wanted to.

[shinra_dog]

Reno frowned, just looking at Kyo for a moment. Just taking him in. This was real.

"No," he answered truthfully. As if he could say anything else. "Kyo..."

He hesitated a moment longer, but in the end he decided he'd regret it if he didn't act on the feelings he'd been shoving away for the last year. If Kyo pushed him away, that would be the end of it. But until then... Reno reached out to cup Kyo's cheek.

"Gods, I thought I'd never see you again." His other hand clutched Kyo's. "It's been a year for me. A fuckin' year!"

He took a breath. "I'm sorry for being weird. I'm so sorry."

[cat_cursed_13]

He knew the answer even before Reno said it; he’d known the answer since first seeing him. And yet, the way Reno looked at him… searched him… It made his chest constrict and he lowered his gaze. Because he wanted, more than anything, to think things were already. That he could look at Reno and finally… finally…

“It’s all right,” Kyo murmured. “I knew you weren’t.” He intended for it to be just that. But a hand… A hand settled on his cheek and Kyo jerked his eyes up, staring at Reno in a rushing surge of everything he’d forgotten, everything he’d been reminded of. Fear, affection, anger, love, surprise, relief. So much of it. From that one stupid touch. He couldn’t have pushed him away if he wanted to. The cat tilted his head into the Turk’s palm, pressing against his hand firmly.

“Tsk, we didn’t have a choice,” he muttered, bitterness at being pulled away from Reno again. Tan fingers wrapped around the other man’s and he tightened his grip, almost painfully. A year. So that’s how long it’d been. He couldn’t describe what it was like for him right now. Like waking up twice in the same night from long dreams that felt so real… and now another one.

“Don’t--… Just… don’t apologize.” Because Kyo knew what was coming next. He hated it. But there was nothing he could do about it. “It’s fine.”

No, it wasn’t fine. And yet, it happened. Whatever it was had happened. Hadn’t it…

Marisa's Treehouse [PHYSICAL TRAPS]

[shinra_dog]

All Reno knew was that Marisa likely had his materia. And Marisa was gone. So, without being able to ask her, they'd simply have to search through her things.

This group decided to search the tree house. They were warned there would be traps, but whether they were truly prepared for them was yet to be seen... Books, trinkets, and baubles were stacked precariously throughout the inside and there was a strange scratching noise coming from somewhere...

Below the tree house in the shade grew a lovely assortment of flowers and, primarily, mushrooms. If the Heroes see something that interests them, now is the time to take it.

Marisa's Workshop [CW: APHRO TRAP, possible smut, proceed at your own 18+ risk]

[shinra_dog]

All Reno knew was that Marisa likely had his materia. And Marisa was gone. So, without being able to ask her, they'd simply have to search through her things.

This group decided to tackle Marisa's workshop. Books filled shelves, were scattered with papers on tables and the large desk. Glass tubes, beakers, and flasks were carefully arranged. If Marisa had the materia here, she may have been trying to test it, discern its magical properties. The Heroes would find out.

[charming_jerk]

Wandering slowly into the room, Johnny made sure not to touch anything just yet. He knew that was asking for trouble, from what he'd heard.

"So, uh, anythin' obvious I shouldn't touch? Anythin' in particular I should be lookin' out for? Before I start riskin' setting off whatever might be arming this place."

[cat_cursed_13]

One thing led to another and now they were tromping around Marisa's place. Kyo'd never met the woman, but he'd heard of her here and there around the island. To the point that it was a little strange to go wandering around someone's how that he knew but never saw. And to find out a lot of this stuff looked like those witches tales you read about in books was even weirder.

"If it's sharp, don't touch it. If it glows, don't touch it. If it moves and you didn't touch it, don't touch it..." Kyo frowned. "Any of those sound good enough?"

[not_most_days]

"So who does this place belong to then? Someone from your world? One of your dalliances here?" While she didn't mean anything particularly judgemental by the word, the revelation of what its denizens needed to do to avoid death still sat boldly in her mind. And everyone that they'd met did seem on the rather friendly side with the Gaian. The fact that nothing further had been brought up to this point wasn't comforting to the Assassin, leaving her more with a feeling in her gut that the other boot was about to drop. And to know Reno's relationship to this woman might also give her a better idea of what to watch for when it came to hiding places and traps.

But she had to give a nod of approval in Kyo's direction at his own comments. "Those sound like fair rules to live by. And continue to live by." She moved carefully about the room, looking at books and papers, trying to discern a bit about what went on here.