melodiesoflife | Prelude || The Festival Of Light

Prelude || The Festival Of Light

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light."
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: The 3rd of August, final day of the Festival of Light. The Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The Heroes of Light awaken in Aqures Ixen and are informed by their assigned Moogles of what the situation and what their destinies are. This a log for them to react to the situation, meet each other and optionally participate in activities provided by the Festival of Light.
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. Upon doing so, you can hear a soft, soothing voice speaking:

"Wake up."

Soon, the void itself vanishes and is replaced by distant noises of engines. Had it all been nothing more than a dream? The soothing voice repeats its call one more time, but is soon replaced with a much less graceful "Wake up, Kupo!" Hand clutched on your Crystal, the call of the Moogle may finally wake you up. But you are no longer in your world, nor in the void. You are before the Crystal of Fire, in the third district of a city called Aqures Ixen. At this point, you may realize the engine noise actually originates from an Airship flying low over the city and headed to dock beneath the castle. As if it wasn't strange enough, your clothes have changed as well. They are now a reflection of the Jobs you are wielding. Last but not least, you are surrounded by Moogles, small and fluffy creatures who are more than happy to tell you about everything you want to know, about your 'destiny' as a Hero of Light, about what awaits you.

Or at least, they will tell you everything they do know, which isn't much in the end.

Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be any citizens aside from Moogles in the vicinity. Indeed, the population of Aqures Ixen seems to be busy elsewhere in the city-- The Moogle will tell you there currently an event named the Festival of Light, which most people are attending. But you are not alone! It probably will not be long before you realize there are plenty of people like you all around, and if somehow you do not realize it, the Moogle who woke you up will be more than happy to inform you there are others like you around. Maybe with their help, you will be able to find out what is happening to you.

— Final Day —
The Festival of Light is a yearly event held at Aqures Ixen to celebrate the victory of the "Heroes of Light" over the "Calamity from the Skies" two thousands years ago, or so do the legends say. Whether people believe in the legends or not, this is an occasion for them to have fun and spend time with family and friends. The Festival is held from the 28th of July to the 3rd of August.

Unfortunately, most attractions and events are over by the third of August. Yet, there is enough to do, should the newly arrived Heroes of Light favor spending time looking at the attractions rather than panicking about their situation. The festival ends at midnight.

Theater Play
— Ninth District || 14:00 —

There is a large theater stage installed in the 9th district-- It is probably only temporary by the look of it. There is quite a crowd seated to watch the play about to unfold, as well as numerous people standing beneath the seats or sitting on the ceilings because they couldn't get a seat. After the audience grows quiet, a woman with long silver hair and green-ish skin steps onto the stage to address the audience.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight's performance is a story that takes place long, long ago! At the time when the Ancients reigned over the planet, when the Calamities from the Skies landed on this world and waged war against all forms of life. When our story begins, the Ancients are on the brink of extinction and gathering the last of their forces to fight. And now people of Aqures Ixen and visitors from distant lands, we proudly present 'The 4 Heroes of Light'!"

After this, the play starts and will last for roughly one hour and a half. The main characters appear to be four Heroes of Light, respectively dressed as a Warrior, Monk, Black Mage and White Mage. Other characters include the Calamity from the Skies played by the silver-haired woman, an Ancient scientist and the Princess of Crystallis. The story appears to be a highly romanticized version of the tale the Moogles told the characters earlier. As the play unfolds, there is a love story between one of the Heroes of Light, the Warrior, and the Princess of Crystallis. At the end of the play, the Heroes of Light successfully defeat the Calamity from the Skies, but the Warrior has to sacrifice himself and die in order to protect the Princess of Crystallis.

Culinary Attractions
— Fourteenth District || Anytime —
What would a festival be without free food and banquets? Not really a festival. In the fourteenth district, there is a banquet and many stands held by people from all over the world-- People from Balicea, Aerilon, Esdham, Flence, etc. There is even a stand held by former inhabitants of the Empire. All kind of food from all over the world can be found here-- Refined food, pastries, cakes, cooked meals, etc. It's virtually impossible not to find something to like in all of this, and it's all free until midnight!

Competitions
— Tenth & Eight District || 18:00 —

At 18:00, there will be a Blitzball match opposing the teams of Aqures Ixen and Balicea in the Blitzball Stadium. It is more of an exposition match, with nothing to be won aside from glory. Anyone is free to enter the stadium to watch the match. Following this, people - playable characters included - will be allowed to play some Blitzball Match on their own, if they want to try.

At the same time, a Triple Triad competition will be taking place in the eight district, in the campus of the university. Characters are free to enter the Triple Triad tournament, and if they do so they will be given very basic cards and explained the rules. With low level cards and whatsoever no experience, odds are that they may lose to much more experienced and competitive players, but what matters is trying, right? Whilst no characters may recognize him yet, it is notable that one of the NPCs, Wedge, is taking part in the competition. It's just a shame knowing he will lose in the semi-finals.

Trano Golsaucia's Stands
— Eleventh District || Anytime —
Specially for the occasions, stallholders from Trano Golsaucia traveled to Aqures Ixen and brought a few attractions to display what they can do. Noticeably, they brought Chocobos and will organize numerous races throughout the day, on an improvised tracks running around the houses. The Heroes of Light are more than welcome to try and bet, should they want to lose (or multiply) what few Gils they have. If they feel adventurous, they may even try to enter one of the races and ride a Chocobo-- At their own risks.

Aside from this, there are some more attractions worthy of attention. There is a shooting stand-- Coincidentally, all the targets are vaguely similar to the main antagonists of numbered Final Fantasy games. There is a treasure chest game, where characters are presented with ten chests and can open only one-- Prizes range from one Gils to gigantic plushie. There is also a fortune teller Moogle, it is notable that his predictions will always include either the character suffering hell or dying soon, in one form or another. Hopefully this moogle is just a scam.

Fireworks
— First District || 23:00 —

What better way to conclude a festival than fireworks? Fireworks will be launched from the Castle of Aqures Ixen starting 23:00, and will end at midnight, at the same time than the festival. No matter where you are in the city, anyone should be able to watch them easilly if they so wish. Unfortunately, it means falling asleep before midnight may be a bit hard with all the noise.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Now that the two moogles hand joined in on a dance, Angeal noticed it and lifted a single brow in confusion. "Er..."

Of course he couldn't be rude and leave the man hanging in his question and quickly shook his head. "Yeah, one could say that. I didn't mean to interrupt your browsing."

A series of expressions that ranged from loss of words to utter confusion to strict stoicism, putting what he had thought of this place into words was difficult. "I agree that the hospitality is far better than I had expected but I have to ask, have you noticed that not everyone has a moogle?"

To Angeal, moogles were the thing of children's stories which compared to a jackalope in some regions on Earth. He shook away those thoughts. He had grown up long ago but why now can he see them?

Eiji takes note of it as well and looks on curiously. He smiles, but otherwise doesn't seem too bothered. He turns back to his conversation partner. He blinks.

"Eh? Oh, no, you didn't interrupt me at all," He says, quickly shaking his head. He then takes Angeal's question to heart, tilting his head in thought. He did notice that.

"Mm, I wonder if it has something to do with the Heroes of Light. Did your friend talk to you about that?"

"Maybe." Oh great, another destiny was placed on his shoulders. Just exactly what he wanted, only he was certain that this time it was just a strange coincidence and nothing too substantial.

"To be honest, I wasn't paying that much attention." Which was very true on Angeal's part but it didn't go over too well with the dancing moogle.

Lester stopped and glared at Angeal. "OOoooh, I didn't just say that for you to dismiss it, kupo!"

"I was tired." Angeal stated back with finality which only irritated the moogle even more as his little round face turned red.

"Ooooooh! I knew you were mean, kupo! Hmph." The little floating turned his nose up at Angeal in a snooty gesture to return to his dancing.

Angeal simply rolled his eyes with a scoff. "I never asked for this." He replied calmly. "I'm Angeal. It seems that we'll be here in this dream for a while."

Food

Gate trouble. That was the only possible explanation. She must have gone through a poorly calibrated gate and ended up here in Aqures Ixen. But there was no such place as "Aqures Ixen," not in Tyria and she highly doubted she was in the Mists. How, exactly, did some moron mess up a gate so badly it transported her to what she can only assume was some other world? Sure, quite a few krewes make their discoveries by accident, but it was like being so stupid it went beyond idiot and somehow made its way to the other end of the intelligence scale at genius.

Zojja just didn't like the idea of having to credit an inept gatekeeper for this discovery of the existence of another world. When she got back to Rata Sum, she would have to publish her findings on this.

"Ah...Zojja? Kupo?"

Oh right, she still had that puffball with her. Hovering about a foot above her head was the moogle that had been assigned to her. He had a most unfortunate name of Kupu, which not only sounded ridiculous because of a moogle's tendency to slip in the word kupo everywhere, but because the name was very similar to that of someone she knew. Someone she disliked thinking about. Although it did make her wonder how moogle naming conventions worked.

Because in asuran, Kupu would definitely be a girl's name. If Kupu was born an asura, that would have meant his parents would have hated him and that would just be sad.

"What is it? It better be important."

"Just...are you hungry? We're passing by the food stands right now, kupo."

Unlike the aforementioned jerk she didn't like thinking about, Kupu was rather timid and to be fair to him, obedient. Like he'd be a perfect personal servant. Of course, she wouldn't use that word out loud. Something more like..."errand runner" would be good

"I suppose. I better get used to the food here if I'm going to stay here for a while."

And she was certain that it would just be a while. This was just a temporary visit, she had far more important things to be doing back at where she came from. Either way, it's difficult to think on an empty stomach, so the three foot tall asura made her way over to the nearest stand to browse the selection. After giving it precisely five seconds of thought, a claw tapping her chin, she turned to the nearest person to ask, "What's good here?"

Fireworks

Ah, fireworks. Now this was something Zojja was familiar with. She never had much of an opinion on them. Fireworks explode in pretty colors and generally, she was not interested in explosions unless it was her enemies doing the exploding. She would have retreated right back to the house she had been given, but Kupu somehow convinced her to stay for the fireworks show. So as long as she was there, she might as well enjoy it.

That is, she would if she could see anything.

It seems like the entire population of Aqures Ixen turned out for the fireworks show and there were just too many tall things here. Humans and those mutated hylek things. Hypello. Whatever.

Whatever vantage points she could use to sit on were already being occupied by moogles and Tarutaru. It was inconvenient, to say the least. And it had become so crowded she'd have to push her way through the crowd in order to leave.

"Sorry, kupo," Kupu apologized. "I didn't think it would be this crowded here."

"Ugh, if only I had Mr. Sparkles," Zojja huffed. She could ride him. Or she could use him to clear a path to leave. Either or.

Talitha finally caught up to Genesis and was about to start scolding him when she saw the tension in the two men. She hovered, biting her fingers and then backed away slowly so not to get in the way in case either one of them broke.

Genesis heard Angeal's words and for a moment there was an honest smile on his face. That faded quickly as he laughed, eyes closed and head shaking since his laugh was more like a sob stuck between memories and reality.

"A dream..? My soul, corrupted by vengeance, hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey... There is no forgiveness, is there?"

Lester had too backed away and met up with his co-worker in silence. With a stubby arm, he patted her back which was far better than standing around the two men that clearly had some history that they couldn't possibly understand.

Angeal heard those words and his heart ached for his brother. He lowered his head and understood why he had done what was best for himself. It was part of Genesis' nature but he had never anticipated his selfishness to grow as it had. Innocent lives were lost that day in Banora but how innocent were they?

It seemed as if the entire town knew the secret that had surrounded them. Their involvement with Shinra, the experiments that had created them, nothing was certain anymore.

Genesis isn't your enemy. Angeal's head rose at the sound of his mother's voice inside his mind. He closed his eyes for a second or two and his fists that rested tightly at his sides slackened.

"It's not your fault." Angeal opened his eyes and concluded that they had to start somewhere. All those years of memories attached to Genesis, he couldn't simply walk away either. "Do you wish to be forgiven?"

"Oh! Kupo! Eiji did the same thing! He kept saying I got the wrong person!" Mogna huffs a little at him, but at least doesn't turn red like Lester did. Eiji had the good grace to look abashed and then turn away.

"...Eiji. It's nice to meet you Mr. Angeal." Eiji was anything if polite. "And it does seem that way. Do you know how many others have found ourselves here? Mogna said there were more but she didn't tell me how many."

[Henry rolls back into a sitting position.]

At least there is a festival! I hear you on the busy day those. I was going to stop an assassination, but so much has been going on it doesn't seem like that'll happen, nyahaha.

Henry's face perks up when Kaji ask's his question.

"Yeppers! If you want to learn about your terrible bloody death, this moogle is just the animal to tell you about it!"

It had really been a long day, and only now Charlotte was feeling the effects of it. She had wanted to continue investigating this strange new world and its legend, but her moogle, Mogsy, had hassled and harassed her to take a break and enjoy the fireworks until she finally gave in.

With that in mind, she searched for a quieter place to watch the fireworks. Spotting the hill and tree, she grinned. Perfect. Charlotte made a bee line for it, Mogsy flapping behind her.

She didn't see the stranger until she'd rounded the other side of the tree and very nearly tripped over her. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you there!"

Charlotte was dressed in Red Mage clothes and carried a large tome under her arm. In contrast, her moogle had a bag slung over his shoulder, and seemed to be struggling with the weight of whatever was in it.

Giving the stranger a bright smile, she asked, "Would you mind if we sit here? It's too crowded everywhere else."

Kaji isn't the only one who's looking for information.

Charlotte has seen the play, too, but rather than searching for other Heroes of Light, she's been asking townspeople and intends to dive into the library soon. But first, she wants to make a record of the play, and happens to be seated at one of the nearby tables with her moogle, Mogsy perched on the back of an adjacent chair.

Charlotte's dressed in a Red Mage outfit, and has a large scroll of parchment spread across the table as she writes on it. On the table is a thick tome, the strange symbols on it nothing like the writing on the signs around town.

"It was just a play, kupo!" Mogsy claims with a sigh. "Why do you want to make a record of it?"

Charlotte keeps writing. "I don't know anything about this world or this legend, Mogsy. Figuring out what's going on starts here."

Mogsy just mimes fainting off his chair and groans. "Can't you just enjoy the festival?"

Can't get much more obvious that she's not from around here.

While Angeal was walking around town, perhaps he might find one (1) moogle colliding into his shoulder from flying around a corner at top speed, practically bouncing off him.

"Oh no!" the moogle exclaims, as paper, ink and quills spill out of his sling bag onto the floor, one of the ink pots smashing all over the top of them, black ink soaking into all the papers. "Kupopopopo! What will I do?"

Kaji laughs, because what else can he say in response to that? Shinji, the moogle riding on his shoulder, looks worried, with a quiet "Kupo?"

"I'll bite. Why not? That's the most interesting thing I've been told all day."

Kaji heads towards the moogle's stand, and glances to see if the stranger wants to tag along and hear this 'ultimate fortune.' (And probably compare to his own.)

Charlotte was dressed in the outfit of a Red Mage, while her moogle, Mogsy, hovered by her shoulder. She had a large tome tucked under her arm in contrast to Mogsy's even larger sling bag. She was starting to get hungry, but the food on the stands didn't really look... well... it certainly wasn't what she was used to.

It took Charlotte a moment to figure out who was talking to her, looking around her, before looking down. She tried not to look surprised, but she hadn't yet seen anyone like this stranger.

Shaking her head, she said, "Sorry, I don't know. I'm new here, too." She turned to Mogsy. "Well? What do you recommend? You're the expert, here."

"Striped apples!" came the instant reply, a huge grin on Mogsy's face. "They're the best! They're sooo sweet and delicious! And totally healthy! Really!"

Charlotte's skeptical look said otherwise.

Naruto had found it. The most perfect ramen!

Okay, it would probably never match the high standards set by Teuchi-san back home, but after months of being away from Konoha and weeks of eating rations and boring healthy food this was luxury.

He'd finished his second bowl, and was more than happy to accept the very generous offer of a third on the promise that Naruto would eat it all. The guy had talked to him a little about entering some kind of eating competition, and Naruto only vaguely nodded whilst he looked around - taking a few steps back from the stand to let other patrons in.

The Moogle strangely named Mogsuke was sat on his head, and occasionally Naruto offered it bits out of his bowl. They'd already developed an interesting friendship over the short hours of the day, but this moogle was a creature after his own heart and had absolutely no qualms about spending this much time outside eating ramen.

It was just after he'd offered the moogle a long string of noodle that he grinned up at him, dropping his gaze and spotting, instantly - red hair, pale complexion, those robes. In a rush he spun around, looked for somewhere to put his bowl, gave up and thrust it toward Mogsuke, who took and was trying desperately to stay up with he held it and Naruto waved his arms above his head, eyes bright, grin huge, hurrying through the throng of people toward his friend.

"Gaara!"

Edited 2014-08-04 14:10 (UTC)

With people clearing out, it gives Kaji room to approach the woman. He is dressed (mostly) in the outfit of a Scholar, but he has already loosened up the cravat, unbuttoned the top button of the shirt, and his moogle is wearing his mortarboard hat instead.

"The Four Heroes of Light," he comments wryly to announce himself as he leans against the edge of the table. "Only, there seem to be a lot more than four of us running around here." He is looking at the woman, not her notes, even though he is very interested to know what details she thought were important.

Charlotte was pretty skeptical; it wasn't really the kind of thing she believed in. Especially when, in her opinion, they were generally crooks preying on gullible people. "You'll need to be more convincing than that."

She was dressed in the outfit of a Red Mage, with a large, heavy tome tucked under her arm, strange magical symbols inscribed on the cover. Unfortunately, in this world, they lost the power they had in hers. There was no sign of her moogle, and the only reason she was waiting here was because Mogsy had chosen this spot to meet her.

If she didn't have to carry her book, she would have crossed her arms. She settled for rolling her eyes instead. "Fortune tellers only tell you what you want to hear."

It occurs to Ashelia that the situation back in her home world is nowhere near as dire as Kaji's. Vaguely guilty as it makes her feel, she'll take anything to feel even a little better about this whole Crystallis fiasco. Best not to dwell on it in conversation, though.

Ashelia shakes her head, looking around at the surrounding area, and then up to the castle. "Not as such. From what little I've seen, Crystallis shows more than a passing resemblance to Ivalice. Of course, this is but one city. Though, it does remind me of my Rabanastre..."

Ashelia crosses her arms, looking still at the castle. "I've sent my moogle attendant, Merlose, to arrange an audience with the rulers of Aqures Ixen." She looks back at Kaji, then focuses pointedly on Shinji. "They must be made aware that they have crossed a line. My own abduction will be viewed as an act of war, and Father knows what positions the other 'heroes' hold on their own worlds."

Shinji shrinks back a little from Ashelia's gaze. "War? K-kupo?"

Kaji puts out a hand to pat Shinji on the pom-pom. "Easy there." He looks sideways at Ashelia. "I don't think the moogles are in on it, so I wouldn't go tossing blame at them. They probably only know more about what's going on here because they live here." He follows her gaze back to the castle. "Those people, though. I'd be very interested to talk to them, as well."

"Besides, my world is very very different from this one. I'd be quite surprised if anyone knew what position I held back there." He laughs a little. "I'd be surprised if anyone from my world knew what position I held back there, either."

Ashelia gasped, one hand going immediately to the hilt of her sword. Stupid, should have been paying more atteniton - they abduct you and fill your head with stories and you spend your time entranced with fireworks - Merlose still isn't back, maybe they've done something to her - maybe the moogles aren't complicit after all -

She calmed down considerably when she saw the moogle at the girl's side. One of us. That was a sobering thought. Was she already willing to trust the other 'heroes' so implicitly? Take a step back. Slowly, now.

"O-of course." Ashelia clear her throat, taking a step back. "You've a moogle attendant. Might I hazard a guess that you are also a...Hero of Light?" It was a struggle to get that out. Gauging the reaction of the other 'heroes' was an important step in learning who she might be able to trust, though.

The young pirate had been groggily walking about, as if in some sort of strange haze that addled his senses. He hadn't noticed the other boy at first, considering how unfocused his vision had been. It wasn't even the sight of the bowl that captured his attention, but the sound of slurping and the smell of fresh ramen that instantly had Luffy transfixed on the blonde.

Rushing over with a sudden burst of speed, the pirate Captain begins to frantically flail his arms over his head, sharp teeth showing themselves as his voice calls out in desperation.

"HEY! SPIKY-HAIR! WHERE'D YOU GET THAT RAMEN?! I NEED MEAT, NOW!!"

Genesis tilted her head in confusion, frowning. He was sorry? What for? He didn't do anything wrong. She was the one who caused the rift, made Sephiroth hate her, starting a whole new war that no one really wanted all because she defected from the company and they didn't want her telling their secrets.

Hesitantly, she reached out and rested her hand on his arm. "Why? You are not to blame. None of you are."

But she already felt like she was overstepping her boundaries and pulled back, hugging the Moomba a bit further as she stood awkwardly in silence. When was the last time she was at a loss for words?

More like on her way back towards food, Ashe might come across the odd scene of a child dressed as a red mage, with her sword strapped to her back instead of her hip (it was much too long the other way), standing in front of the gate to one of the houses, with a little moogle fluttering over her shoulder.

"It's really your house!" The moogle exclaimed, and the child's unnaturally blue eyes shifted towards the little bear for a moment, then back towards the house. A house. What was she supposed to do with a house? A rather large house, honestly.

"I do not understand," she finally said, her voice flat, mostly emotionless. "Why would they give me a house? Why am I here?" The second part was a question she had asked the moogles several times, to no avail. But she asked it loud enough to easily attract the attention of passers-by.

"You have to have somewhere to live!" The moogle responded helpfully, if only for part of the question, and Shelke turned a frustrated eye back on 'her house.'

Prelude

Genesis. This had to be his doing. Just another surprise that he'd orchestrated for Sephiroth to be led into. To think he had been so naive to take the bait, in the first place, was bitter indeed; that he had hoped Genesis would still be inside the scope of redemption, even risked his own reputation on the same, drowned his spirit even further.

The walls of the corridors of the 25th Floor of the Shinra HQ, where Sephiroth had been working down from his rendezvous with Angeal and Zack, shook menacingly. He paused as another winged, semi-degraded Genesis-copy fell at his feet. Sephiroth could feel the unmistakable charging of energy in the air that told him a summon was being used nearby. The walls shook again, more vibrantly then-

-shattered.

Except it wasn't only his surroundings that appeared to shatter like glass - but the whole of reality itself. Instinctively Sephiroth had thrown an arm up to shield his eyes from fragments that, it soon came to be realized, never sprayed him. As he peered out over the top of his forearm whilst lowering said guard, the void that he suddenly was sinking into at an alarming rate seemed to grow chillier by the second, more completely engulfing in its darkness in time with the racing pulse inside Sephiroth's chest. As the seconds ticked by, he could feel strength leaking from him somehow-

Had the building collapsed or something and he was bleeding out somewhere in the rubble? Now wouldn't that be an anti-climatic end for Shinra's top SOLDIER? Is this what unconsciousness, in the moments before death, felt like?

A red light generated for itself a form before him and as Sephiroth watched it swirled and grew itself into a jagged shape, not too dissimilar to how he had read that materia appeared in its natural form. The warmth from it, in the chilled abyss was a veritable beacon-

Warmth that was verified as gloved fingers closed around it.

Arrival - 3rd District: Crystal of Fire
"Wake up"

Was that a voice, or just the thrum of some distant machinery in the background? Sephiroth had been listening for something like that after all, if his hazy theory about being buried by a collapsing building held any weight to it at all, so it wasn't any surprise that the first soothing tones weren't registered. Lain out on his back on the pavement by the Crystal of Fire, Sephiroth did stir a little though. Albeit only to minutely roll shoulders backwards and turn his face away from the heat he could feel starting to prickle uncomfortably at the end of his nose; was that sunlight? or torchlight behind closed eyes? He'd be out of here soon enough.

"Wake up, Kupo!"

That voice registered. Kupo. Wha-

Eyebrows drew together as if to protest, eyelids squinted open next as the world at first burned like white fire into retinas. Sephiroth blinked, finally focusing on the details nearest him - the concrete that ran out away from underneath him before meeting with housing he didn't recognize. One more blink and then he slid eyes to the other extreme of his field of vision- a red shape swam within a larger white-

"Kup-oooo!"

One moogle that had climbed up onto Sephiroth's chest and was leaning over his head whilst trying to stir him, was promptly removed with a reactive sweep of a forearm as Sephiroth instantly sat up and peered around. Pushing up against both hands he found a crystal he had been clutching tightly and he spent a few heavy moments studying the shard. Eyes lowered to his palm, flicked up and around the other small white, red pom-pom topped moogles gathered around, and finally down onto light-armor that Sephiroth was certain he'd never be seen dead in ever, before shaking his head as if to dismiss the hallucination. It had to be, after all.

"...Hero of Light..."

Sephiroth hadn't been listening to the small, almost timid moogle that had been knocked off of him a moment before. Too wound up in his own thoughts. Reality doesn't shatter like that, there was no such powerful magic even if Genesis was mad enough to use it. Moogles aren't real. Just as Sephiroth would never be seen to wield-

Masamune was lain out alongside him, it's hilt just an arms extension away. Lightly greaved -with purple armor trimmed with silver edging- legs bent up and with more of an effort than Sephiroth preferred he swung his weight forwards and got to his feet. Lying in the sun too long, caused this lethargy, no doubt. The armor he was clad in probably did no favors to that point, underneath it already felt much too warm and sticky.

But I've never had a problem with overheating-

The moogle, whom he would come later to know as Spencer, had given up trying to communicate verbally -at least for the time being- to a man that wasn't listening to him. Instead it wrapped its stubby front paws around the pommel of Masamune as best he could and a few flurried wing-flaps later did manage to lift the great sword into the air. Only about half a foot or so, but by the scrape of the sharpened steel on the concrete, it was enough for Sephiroth to notice the gesture. It felt strange taking his sword from the small, supposed to be fictional, creature but Sephiroth did flash a grateful smile before turning his attention back to everything else going on around him.

Spencer, the smaller than average, bespectacled moogle followed at a cautious distance. Unable to figure out just yet how best to approach the intimidatingly taller Hero of Light. There were a lot of things to be explained but it seemed Sephiroth was determined to figure it out on his own rather than asking.

Festival of Light Activities

i) Theater Play
It seemed a rather popular attraction out of what was left of the Festival of Light. Impossible to miss within the 9th District, it was Spencer who had finally plucked up some courage to flutter up to Sephiroth's shoulder height while he regarded the theater that a vast number of other people (not all of them human either) were congregating towards. The moogle had already learned not to touch, poke or pull at any part of Sephiroth directly; just watching him had taught Spencer how quickly irritated he got by just the odd strand of his long silver hair getting caught between armor plates at his back. He knew that he could help Sephiroth by affording him clothing he was more suited to, but the moogle wanted this 'Hero' to learn that he needed to ask, first.

"I'm not one for poetry and plays." He commented gruffly, affording his small companion a carefully guarded glance. Sephiroth still firmly believed this had to some trauma-induced dream, probably a side-effect of the medical treatment he had to be receiving. But knowing his regeneration- it wouldn't be long.

"Then drop the preconception, kupo." Spencer matter-of-factly rolled his small voice back at Sephiroth from the side. "I guarantee its not a waste of time."

With a restrained sigh, Sephiroth advanced towards the Theater with Spencer doing a better job, than before, of keeping up to his height and long strides.

He watched the play from quite high up in the stands, arms folded loosely about waist height and leant with a shoulder against a wooden pillar. Spencer, finally, had been permitted a seat on the opposite plate of armor. There were lacking seats for moogles, after all, being so packed in.

At their basest, all epic plays told the same story. Good vs Evil, the hero (or heroes, in multiple) saving the world, even the tragic sacrifice of the Warrior-hero could have earned an eye roll in it's predictability. As an enactment of the legend his moogle kept going on about, though, Sephiroth knew it couldn't be all that accurate. Being a Hero was a lot less clean, and certainly less romantic than all that; he should know. A line from LOVELESS came to mind though;

Legend shall speak
Of sacrifice at World's end

By the end of the play a deep, concerned frown had scored its way into Sephiroth's features. Drilled into his head or what? But of course Genesis would play on his unconscious mind now, considering that latest stab in the back.

ii) Fireworks
It had been a long day. Sephiroth already felt a tiredness, like no other in recent memory, that had begun to work its way deeper into all the tendons holding his frame together. Throbbing dully ever since he had finally asked Spencer to swap out his Warrior-class armor into clothing that he was much more comfortable wearing. Leather with silver pauldrons was his signature look after all, even if Sephiroth was sure he'd never quite felt so wet in places beneath it. Details that weren't worth pondering over; at least his hair wasn't getting caught in plating anymore.

As the first flurry of fireworks lit up the sky Sephiroth figured there would be little point attempting to retire to his -apparently free- house with such festivities going on.

So instead, still with Spencer at a shoulder-height small distance behind him, Sephiroth stood silently on the outskirts of the crowd in the 1st District, similarly observing the display. He'd dropped the folded arms a short while ago out of discomfort than anything else and again wiped at a sheen of sweat on his forehead, between chin-length bangs, with the back of a hand.

It'd all be over soon, he had to be really waking up now.

1- Arrival:

Zelda felt a strange weight on her as her eyes fluttered opened. While waiting for her to wake her Moogle had fallen asleep on top of her. It's tummy rhythmically rose and fell as it softly snored. She didn't want to wake the thing but she also didn't want to say lying on the ground.

She tried to move the moggle to the side but it ended up rolling to the ground and waking up with a thud. "Kuuuupoo!" Zelda rushed to it's side and gently placed it in her lap.

"I'm sorry. Are you alright?" This didn't seem possible but she knew this wasn't home. She focused on the creature in front of her and tried to pushed the rest back for the time being.

"Kupo!" The moogle shook his head and fluttered up so that he was flying in front of Zelda. "Morning, Kupo! Welcome, Hero of light! I'm Kopula, Kupo!"

"Hero?" Her voice was even more unsure with this piece of information. Her eyes scanned around the area before she let out a long breath. "You will guide me?"

The moogle nodded and flew back towards Zelda's lap where it sat looking up happily. Zelda wrapped her arms around it and stood.

2- Game Stands:

Her arms are wrapped around her moogle as she walked through the stands eyeing the games and prizes. Everything looked exciting and she couldn't help but take the time to enjoy it. Time was never on her side in the past and now she wished that he was here with her.

A few prizes and small trinkets catch her eye but she hasn't decided what she wanted to try yet. Her moogle points over to a few of the games describing the rules, urging her to give them a try.

3- Fireworks:

Zelda was sitting on a low ledge her eyes searching the sky. Once the fireworks began a smile spread across her lips. Her eyes are glued to the lights of the fireworks as they explode in a kaleidoscope of colors in the sky. It was beautiful and she didn't want to look away. Even with the story she heard from Kopula and the new adventure that lay before her, the day felt like a dream. The city was wonderful and unlike any place she has visited before.

It was missing some pieces and some things felt out of place but it was a warm welcome she wasn't going to forget. Kopula was asleep in her arms and she was finally left alone with her thoughts. She carefully let the information she gathered unfold in her mind as she thought about her day.

4- Anywhere else

Zelda looked like a tourist with her eyes trying to take in everything all at once. The town was exciting and there were so many people she felt like it would have been so easy to get lost without Kopula's help.

Kopula stayed in her arms, worried he would lose her if they weren't close together. She mostly wandered around trying to find more information about this world. A few times she stopped suddenly thinking she saw a familiar face in the crowd.

Edited 2014-08-04 22:28 (UTC)

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Page 3 of 45

Prelude || The Festival Of Light

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Re: C

Fireworks!

Theater Play!

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Why WOULDN'T I pick food?!

OUTSIDE AN AWESOME RAMEN STAND

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Fortunes!

Whoops, was more tired than I thought last night, totally switched tenses lmao orz

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Culinary Attractions

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Culinary...sort of? Lemmie know if this isn't okay.

Sephiroth

Zelda