Intro Log || Just in Time for the Last Holiday Season

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: November 01st - November 30th. New characters may wake up any time.

Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken from Crystal Stasis and might find themselves in quite the predicament. Are they in Aqures Ixen, the Desert, a Forest or a completely empty plain? The choice is yours! You can have your character wake up anywhere, so long as the location is neither crystallized nor sealed away (such as the Temple of the Heroes of Light).

Please refer to the Information Post for more information regarding the state of Crystallis. Fear not however as soon a Moogle and maybe your friends shall come to you. Indeed, Heroes of Light in Aqures Ixen have access to a map that show them whenever a new Hero of Light appears.The Moogles are using it to quickly find any newcomers, but nothing prevents other Heroes of Light from using it to go to the rescue! The exception to this are characters who were formerly in the game: they will wake up from Crystal Stasis in the Hospital of Aqures Ixen.

Furthermore, feel free to plot out with players already in-game if you want for them to come and search your character, find them and plot their escape from a particularly dangerous place and the likes!

Warning: N/A.

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within an instant, the world around you collapses. Reality twists and shatters... Or maybe you are the one who is collapsing and shattering away from reality as you knew it. No matter what the answer is, it will only take a few seconds for you to find yourself sinking into a void, your world vanishing into the distance. There is nothing but darkness as far as the eye can see. Even you feel different: all the powers you might once have had, are now gone. It is silent, cold and it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you.

At this moment, when it looks as though nothing but a never-ending void awaits you, a red Crystal forms before you. In this void, its warmth compels you to grab it. But soon it faded, and everything else along with it, nothing but darkness remaining....


The Search for the Heroes
— Anytime —
To you, it's like only a second passed ever since you grabbed this crystal. But months or even years may have passed in the real world. And as you emerge, you find yourself in the world of Crystallis, a place where magic and technology coexist, filled with friendly people... And not so friendly ones. Have you awakened in Aqures Ixen, Esdham or a similar city...? Then it's perfect, you are surrounded by friendly people who will be - very confused - but helpful to an extent.

Have you woken up in the wilderness? Hopefully there aren't too many monsters around! As it is, other Heroes of Light might have woken up close to your position, it might be a good idea to work together with them.

Thankfully enough, before long a fluffy ball of fur flies toward (and most crashes into) you! This creature is a Moogle, sent from Mognet Central to assist you and take you to Aqures Ixen. It will explain you everything about the situation, the other Heroes of Light already present in Crystallis and all that is happening! This Moogle will be your guide back to Aqures Ixen-- If you decide to follow them anyway...


The Voyage Home
— Anytime —
The journey to Aqures Ixen might be an eventful one (or uneventful one if you awoke in the city already). It is a possibility for you to explore the world by taking your time, or to be lazy and board an Airship in the closest city. Don't lose your way or you risk venturing close to the Calamity-- You wouldn't want to be devoured and ripped apart my mega-powered Calamity Monsters, would you?

And thanks to the map and the efficiency of Mognet, odds are you'll encounter other Heroes of Light on your way: those who arrived in this world within the past two years. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you that there were other Heroes of Light in this city. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you about how they managed to push back the Empire and defeat the fearsome Palitutu! And more importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have all the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a tragic disappointment. Still, for the most part they know more than you on the situation and may be more than happy to fill you in, especially if your Moogle didn't tell you much.


The City of Aqures Ixen
— Anytime —
Finally, you might reach Aqures Ixen... And it turns out to be a very busy city. You might visit it, or the laboratory from where you can spy track where Heroes of Light are. Indeed, Palitutu's Laboratory (and its underground section) is a place where employed characters can research various topics. Most importantly, characters can see a file with their name...

Should your character decide to go there and peek at their file, there are two possibilities. Either the file is corrupted and they cannot access it: too bad for them, but at least their life will remain a mystery. Or should you decide the file isn't corrupted, they will find a summary of their lives up to their canon point, as if written by a third-person omniscient narrator. On the column left to the text, to the top there is a portrait of them, and beneath it there is a 3D model of them. Said portrait and model can be switched to any year of their life. At the bottom there is a percentage, indicating 0%. On the right column, there are various links, most of which are grayed out. The clickable links lead to their Homeworld History and their future post-canon point history (corrupted file for unfinished canons). At least, they can lock this file away if they don't want anyone to see it.

Or maybe you could visit your new house in the 11th or 14th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate(s). Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with.


It's Never Too Early
— Anytime —
No matter where you wake up in this world, from the arid climate of Esdham to the balmy jungles of Mysidia, you might notice a hint of ~**Christmas Whimsy**~ in the air. Pine-scented garlands are wound about streetlamps, delicate glass ornaments and twinkling lights have begun to adorn tree branches. The air is rich with the smell of baked pumpkin and cinnamon, and the occasional cool hint of peppermint. The bakeries are filled with seasonal treats like kupo nut pies, cranberry tarts, eggnog cakes. Though it's only the month of November, anyone complaining about the good cheer and pretty decorations will be stared at with a mixture of shock and pity, for clearly these people do not understand the true magic of the season.

Wherever you go, there's a distinct and rhythmic clanging of a small brass bell. Following the sound of the bell inevitably leads to a small adorable Moogle decked out in a fur-trimmed red suit standing next to a donations pot, with another clad in green passing out fliers inviting people to visit the Santa Village. They're requesting gil to craft toys for the refugees living there as well as the children across the world, and to expand and improve the Village as well.

Upon seeing any indication that you might be a Hero of Light, both Moogles make a happy sound and immediately press a flyer into your hand, insisting that you must visit, and not so subtly hinting that those who take up the Santa Claus job would be warmly welcomed by everyone. 'Tis the season, eh? Eh?


The Hospital
— Anytime —
Characters who have already been in Crystallis before do not wake up anywhere like everyone else. Instead, they will wake up in the Hospital of Aqures Ixen, in a room where there are over a hundred other Heroes of Light like them-- Maybe even some familiar faces... Except they're all in Crystal Stasis.

A couple Moogles and a few nurses will be waiting by the room, and they will welcome all characters waking up. Upon exiting the room, they will also meet a lot of guards, and they all have orders to shoot anyone that comes out of this room without a Moogle. Hopefully you won't try running out without waiting for your Moogle. As for why the guards are so on edge, it might be a good idea to ask the other Heroes of Light about what happened last year.

Comments

[skyofreverie]

[A nod of his head.]

What I do know about the religion is that it was the day a savior was born. He grew up to save people and sometime after he died, people started celebrating it this way.

[He never really paid attention when people talked about the religious aspects of Christmas but knows that much at least.]

With so many worlds out there, I'm not surprised not all of them has it. Every world has its own holidays based on the events that happened in its history.

[That's what he believes anyway. Christmas was always special for Sora ever since the first one in the Facility. He didn't have any of his friends from home so he knows how hard it can be. But it's still nice to celebrate with the friends that were made in a new world.]

I think the spirit of Christmas is what's really universal. Bonding together with the people you care about during the winter season. It's like... hope. Spreading hope in what could be a difficult time.

[Not all worlds have the modern technically Sora is so used to. Winters could be hard to survive.

Sora is curious about the journal.] What's that?

[He asks even though he has his own red journal in hand at this very moment.]

For me it wasn't that bad but my friends suffered because of it. [Sora had given up his life for a friend and he doesn't regret that.]

[water_meebo]

I see. It has a unique history behind it in many ways. I'm rather curious in finding it in the libraries if they have such books.

[ Even if he didn't, Mikleo's already lit by the idea of any history behind the holiday. He's quietly taking notes here and there, looking up at the other every so often to show he's still paying attention to what Sora is saying. ]

It seems to be a logical thing to think about. I've visited quite a few worlds myself. They're vastly different in so many ways.

[ Or dimensions. To him they are already unfamiliar realms of interest that he wants to explore. ]

Hope is a strong weapon but at the same time, it can also be an illusion to many.

[ Mikleo does agree with Sora's words. ]

Huh? [ He looks down at the leather bound book. ] It's a journal Iv'e been keeping for some time now since I've come here.

[ He offers it to Sora as he notices the other has his own journal too. ] It can be saddening when your friends suffer at your expense. I can understand how that feels.

[skyofreverie]

It might! Not that I've been there or anything yet.

[He has to get around to checking it out, see if they have medical books or cooking ones he can get into. Without people to teach him stuff Sora has had to rely on books to get information he needs.]

I've learned that most worlds have holidays that are celebrated because of some event in their history so it only makes sense that they don't have more in common. Every world has a different history which means their holidays will be different.

[Sora looks up at the sky and watches the clouds drift by for a long time. Maybe later he'll find some grassy hill and just do nothing but look up for a while.]

Sometimes all people have is the illusion of hope to cling to. Sometimes it's all that keeps them going when they have nothing. Maybe that illusion is shattered or maybe they're lucky and it's transformed into something real.

[Now he looks back at Mikleo before lifting his own journal. The red book that's nearly every page has been written on, lose pieces of paper have been stuffed inside of it, random bits of small things crammed in between so that it's no longer just a book - it's the story of Sora's life.] Yeah, I've been doing the same for a while. It's one of the few things I have left of my home.

[When the other offers out his journal, Sora blinks at it. While he takes the book from Mikleo, he doesn't offer his own in return. His is... too personal for him to give away.] That's why I try not to get into too much trouble but well, you know - I see someone who needs help and I gotta jump in.

[water_meebo]

It sounds like you know a lot for not being there.

[ He smiles at the other's comment. For someone who is full of questions, Sora sure knows how to answer them for the Water Seraph. ]

Indeed. It makes it all the more fascinating and even more fun to learn about.

[ Mikleo always has a strange gleam in his eyes when he talks about knowledge and acquiring them. Such as his life anyway. ]

That is true. People don't want to escape sometimes in that theory, but it'd be fortunate if it were to transform into something hopeful and real.

[ He's intently staring at the journal that boy's journal with utmost curiosity. He's never met anyone that carried something similar to what he's been doing here yet. It's quite refreshing to know he's not the only one that thought about it. ]

I see-- I found this here during my journey to Aqueres Ixen. I suppose it's a memory of what had happened to m-- us all up until this point.

[ He doesn't ask Sora for anything really. Journals are personal and Mikleo's just happened to be both combined into one. In more ways than one it was written for someone rather than for himself. ]

You-- remind me of someone I know. He's always very much trying to extend a helping hand wherever necessary.

[skyofreverie]

Experience, I guess. It's gotta be that considering I'm not much of a reader. I'm more of a hands-on learner.

[As for answering questions - that too is experience. He spent such a long time in the Facility answering the many questions new arrivals had about the place, about his worlds, about anything he might know that he's gotten better at it. Though chances are good that Sora will probably still say something confusing eventually.]

Even better when you can actually visit the world you're learning about. You can see all of the amazing things for yourself.

[Sora would much rather see the world than read about it, though he likes listening to other people talk about them just as much. It paints the world in a whole new light.]

Maybe we can help with that a little bit by lending a hand to celebrate the holiday. I know I'm going to do that.

[He doesn't really get into the other's journal, just sort of flicking through to look at it at a glance. Even from just that it's a better organized journal than his own - that much is clear. When done, Sora holds it out to give it back then stares down at the red cover of his. His thumb idly moves over the crown symbol drawn onto it.

Sora is quiet and every word spoken carefully as if he was afraid of his voice wavering:] Mine is... to make sure I remember everyone I've met in the last four years. To make sure I never forget them no matter what might happen. It doesn't seem like enough sometimes, trying to put down into words what they mean to me. [A small, fond smile.

At Mikleo's words he looks away from his journal, up at the other teen. The small smile grows until he's laughing.]

Hopefully he's a friend and not just some guy you crossed paths with. Also if he is a friend then I'm sorry [He reaches out to rest a hand on Mikleo's shoulder with a fake-solemn expression before continuing on.] because if that's true then you probably get dragged into a lot of troublesome situations. I can't even begin to imagine the kind of headaches I must have given my best friend over the years from all the stuff I've gotten us into.

[water_meebo]

You must have experienced a lot in your travels.

[ Because it sure really sounds like it to Mikleo from his answers. ]

I think so as well. Reading about them in storybooks are nothing compared to experiencing them first hand for yourself.

[ He can definitely agree with that statement. Even his world was so much more vast when he explored it. Reading about it was pale in comparison. ]

Of course. It's a great idea. I'm certain that it will have some impact on everyone here just to celebrate such a holiday.

[ It sounds depressing but their experiences are different. It makes Mikleo sort of admire Sora for having so much experience but at the same time he feels sad for the other. It must be hard to be tossed around in different worlds away from those he cared about. ]

It's always difficult to put into words how strong you feel towards those you care about. Sometimes words don't really express it enough. I can understand what you mean.

[ He could hear the sound of Sora's voice and how strongly he feels about this whole thing. Perhaps, he was being insensitive again and asking things he shouldn't have. ]

He's--

[ How could he describe into words? It takes him a moment before giving Sora an almost sad smile. ]

He's a very important person to me. Friends would be putting it lightly. [ a pause ] He's someone very important to me and there is no need for you to apologize. He's alive somewhere out there in our world.

[ Mikleo can't help but stifle a laugh for what Sora was saying. It did seem very similar to his friendship with Sorey. ]

He's more trouble than he seems and he's too kind for his own good. He's reckless, selfless and doesn't care about his well being as much as he cares about others. Despite the trouble he caused, it's always been-- fun. I'm sure your best friend would feel the same way.