Prelude || The Festival Of Light

[melodiesmods]

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.

Comments

Princess Hilda

[lorule]

• Arrival
A world that was not dying, a world that possessed magics and technologies unknown to her own. There were thousands of reasons for the Princess of Lorule, now donning the archer garb, to be amazed at what she was seeing. Alas, instead of amazement all she felt was annoyance. No, she wasn't a hero. And she knew better than to believe the claim she was one. She had summoned a Hero to her world once, and her only intent then had been to manipulate him to steal his powers and revive her world.

For all she knew, that little ball of fur was trying to pull that on her. As far as she was concerned, this whole thing was little more than an abduction, with a poorly staged awakening and an even more poorly prepared excuse. After regaining her composure and listening to the Moogle's story, she shook her head vividly.

"I am not one of your Heroes of Light!" She spoke on an annoyed tone at the Moogle, before pointing her staff at the flying ball of fur, "Now tell me how I can go back to the world I came from."

"B-But you are one of the heroes, kupo! It's what they told us and--"

"Even if I were my kingdom needs me now! I have neither the time nor the power to help you, or anyone else in this world...!"

"K-Kupo!" The Moogle started flailing and looking around for help. Handling short-tempered princesses hadn't been a part of her contract when she signed up for this.


• Trano Golsaucia's Stand
After calming down (a bit), the Princess finally made her way throughout the city. She looked at the mini-games with little interest as she made her way to what was supposed to be her house, but stopped when she saw the chest-opening game, and someone loosing repeatedly at it. And of course, she pointed her staff at the owner of the game.

"This game-- You're a crook!"

"K-kupo!" The Moogle jumped before Hilda's face when she said that and shook her head. "You can't go around and call people crooks, kupo!"

"But he's one!" She said strongly and withdrew her staff "This game is specially designed so you have virtually no chance to win. I've forbidden the same kind of games in my kingdom a few years back!"

The Moogle looked down and tried to drag her away. She couldn't just let the Princess make a scene here now, could she? And better make sure she wouldn't see the fortune teller.


• Theater Play
Finally, Hilda assisted at the theater play. The story was rather... Bland, for lack of a better word, but she needed as many information as possible on these heroes of light. She appreciated the heroism displayed by the Heroes of Light, and especially how the Warrior sacrificed himself for his princess by the end of it.

"The hero sacrifices himself for his princess..." She said on a dreamy tone. "A world where the word heroism means something. If only..."

If only her hero back home wasn't a coward who had run away when she needed him. Alas, history cannot be re-written.

Golsaucia's Stand

[lodossknight]

Parn, too, was combing through the city for various reasons. Partly to engage with others like him. Partly to get a feel and become familiar with the city. Partly to learn of what was going on to the best of his extent.

Upon his wandering, he came across a woman pointing her staff whom was accusing booth employee of being a crook. Naturally, out of curiously the young knight warrior approached to assess the situation, and see he could help.

"Excuse me. What's going on here?" His moogle followed in tow.

[lorule]

Her moogle had managed to move her far enough from the stand when Parn moved in and questioned what the hell was happening-- But Hilda looked no less furious. She pointed an accusing finger at the booth employee, who seemed more and more embarrassed. Odds were that the man was more honest than employees were back in her own world, but how could she know that?

Needless to say, her Moogle was relieved at Parn's question.

"This man is scamming these poor people!" She said strongly to Parn and turned to him. "I've been trying to tell them but she--" She now pointed at her Moogle "Won't let me."

[lodossknight]

Ah, this was going to be difficult. She seemed dead set on her judgement (and women were hard to argue with) but he was determined to help this poor employee from being falsely accused. Granted Parn never attended many festivals. He knew an honest man when he saw one, and this man looked honest.

"He's not scamming anyone." If anything, this booth in particular looked like a game of chance rather than a game of skill like shooting range. Determined to ease her frustration the warrior pulled out some of his currency and set it on the counter. The best way to prove a point was by example, so he was willing to bet his money on it.
The poor nervous man allowed Parn a game. There were a number of chests to choose from, (and whether one chest was fill or none) the dark haired teen managed to pick the right one. Meaning he won the game. Rather than choosing gils for a prize, he picked the stuffed toy, and handed it Hilda. She was cute, okay!

Alida, his moogle congratulated him. "Good job, kupo!"

Parn smiled genuinely to the new girl. "Do you still think he's scamming people?" Parn will play again if he has to.

[lorule]

If Hilda had been able to hear half of his reasoning, odds were that she'd have slapped him. Thankfully, she didn't hear it, but she was displeased that without any evidence, he chose to say the man wasn't scamming anyone. After all, he had whatsoever no means to know this man wasn't scamming anyone. He saw her accusing the man, and he decided to side with the man. An incredibly disappointing attitude.

"..." She looked both surprised and embarrassed when he did manage to win, on his first attempt. Was he part of some obscure conspiracy to shut people up when they pointed out on the twisted nature of this game? Or had he just been exceptionally lucky? She judged it was probably the later, getting too suspicious about these things would lead her nowhere she guessed.

She took the stuffed toy when he handed it over to her and muttered a "Thanks," unsure whether she appreciated his gesture or if she was furious that he had, effectively, made a fool of her in front of this entire crowd. She didn't reply immediately, after all-- Admitting she was wrong? Never. "... He may have revised his tactics now that I exposed his doings."

[lodossknight]

Parn's expression visibly softened in front of her. His intentions were not to mock her, he never desired to make a fool of anyone, he didn't have it in him to do that. Let alone to a woman. A simple smile curled at the edge of his lips as exchanged an honest glance with her.

"Not everyone is out to cheat the innocent." Meaning, he didn't deny that selfish people existed, but that this man before her just wasn't one of them. He happened to be a people person, and was good in public relations. Part of what he did, was make sure the party had a high morale, without it many battles would be lost.

"I apologize if I may have offended you." Being as compassionate as he was, Parn merely wanted to help. Nothing more. He offered her a light, chivalrous bow. "My name is Parn of Kanon, from Lodoss." A formal greeting, though not overly so. He would mention his origin every so often to see if he could find anyone who recognized it. The teen had yet to encounter one of his companions.

He raised from his stance and gestured to his moogle. "This is Alida, my newest companion." He's important to Parn now. Believe it or not! "Nice to meet you, kupo!" Alida happily joined in.

[lorule]

Hilda wanted for an instant to give a comment about how not everyone was out to cheat the innocents, but she kept it for herself. For an instant she had forgotten to keep her composure and act the way a Princess should be, but she shouldn't allow herself to show more of such an undignified self. She nodded to Parn, slowly.

"You have not offended me." She replied on a noticeably softer and confidant tone, now that she was calmed down. She replied to his bow with a brief nod. "I am Hilda, Princess and Sovereign of Lorule Kingdom" She said before pointing at her Moogle with the staff "And she is Mogrule."

Sometimes Moogles have random names, sometimes they have appropriate name, destiny is such a beautiful thing. Mogrule did salute them, though she did it with noticeably less enthusiasm than Alida-- Maybe hearing Hilda complain about pretty much everything had successfully managed to kill the Moogle's enthusiasm all while making her wary of further anger fit.

"This is a pleasure meeting you, Kupo." The Moogle said to Parn, since apparently Hilda wasn't going to say it, yes.

[lodossknight]

"Pleasure to meet you, Princess Hilda." He replied formally. Up until now, his tone had been more soft and caring, but he had shifted to a more stern and professional tone.

Her exchange in the introduction only confirmed that she was not of his world. Though honestly, her features hardly resembled any dark elf he's ever seen. Not that Parn was entirely sure of what high elves look like, on the account that Deedlit was the only one he's seen. Had she not mentioned the unheard of kingdom, he might have assumed she was a half-breed of his world.

Parn shifted back, straightening his posture. Mogrule's enthusiasm might have been tarnished by Hilda, but their's wasn't. Alida might have even been taking after Parn's lighthearted nature. As he has, so far, been kind and considerate of everyone he's met. Save for the angry queen he happened upon earlier in the day. Parn felt he probably didn't leave a good impression on her, but she was rather assertive in what she wanted.

"Have you adjusted here?" Out of morbid curiosity and concern. It was hard for everyone here, especially those with obligations back home.

Theater Play

[unitesearthandsky]

Link had caught sight of the purple haired woman as he sat and watched the play on his own, wondering if perhaps he might be able to catch Zelda being that she liked this sort of thing. It was in part a large reason for why she had enjoyed the Goddess Ceremony so much, performing in a play and what not.

Most of his attention had been caught by her appearance. Those ears. He'd seen a few others with ears like his own, but they'd been much taller than any Skyloftian he'd ever seen before. Could she be a Child of Hylia as well? There was only one way to find out.

Parting his way through the crowd as they stood to make their exodus from the performance, Link made his way to the stage calling out for the woman without knowledge of name. It might be rude, but it was the only way to get her attention.

"Miss! Excuse me, Miss! You! The one with the purple hair and pointed ears! Do you have a moment, please?"

Lami followed behind him, looking rather displeased with him as there were more important things to search for then some silly childhood friend.

[lorule]

Hilda had been about to leave when she heard a voice calling her out. She originally thought the voice was aimed at someone else, but the bits about purple hair and pointed ears made it a bit too obvious. Who could be calling her, she didn't know anyone here. Yet again, she hadn't seem a lot of people with purple hair and absolutely none with pointy hair, so odds were that her peculiar appearance attracted attention.

She sighed and turned around, "What is i--" But then her eyes widened as she saw him. "Link?"

No... He was the spitting image of the boy she had met, the Hero of Hyrule. But there were still a few noticeable difference. Notably, the hair style and his age, he looked older by a few years if anything. Yet, this was an extraordinary coincidence and she awaited to see if he would confirm that he was somehow related to Link-- Or not?

[unitesearthandsky]

Had he heard her right? Did she just say his name? It couldn't be. Perhaps he'd just misheard her. Or part of him was so burdened with finding Zelda that her similar appearance had made him want to hear her say his name?

Either way, he brushes it off and stands before her with a finger at his chin.

"I'm sorry for bothering you. My name is Link. I come from a land known as Skyloft. I didn't want to assume but.. Your ears."

Using both hands he pinches the tips of his own, shorter tips, giving them a flick as he smiles at her softly.

"They look a lot like my friend Zelda's. You wouldn't happen to know anything about Hyrule or the Goddess Hylia, would you?"

[lorule]

Her ears, of course. But then as he mentioned his friend Zelda and Hyrule, everything connected together.

"Ah, so you must be..."

The Link that corresponded to the Zelda she had met in this city a few hours ago. Of course, this made sense. She nodded to Link as an answer, though she wouldn't mention Zelda right away.

"I know of no Goddess Hylia. However, I come from a land called Lorule. A hero that bear your likeliness and name came to my world not so long ago."

[unitesearthandsky]

"My likeness?"

That's a strange coincidence, to say the least. He gives the purple haired woman a tilt of his head, backtracking to her first statement before taking a step closer to her.

"I must be? What do you mean by that? Does that mean you've seen Zelda?"

He's more concerned with finding his friend than being mistaken for some supposed "hero". That could wait, at least until he's learned more on what this woman might know about the childhood friend he'd been searching for.

[lorule]

She nodded as a reply to his inquiry. At least, she knew there was a Link here, and it couldn't be a bad thing.

"Yes, she is in this city. Whether she is your Zelda or another however, I cannot tell. It appears many are those sharing your names."

Trano Golsaucia's Stand

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda had been looking for someone she recognized or even someone who might have been taken from her world. She hoped for one person in particular but her hopes were falling fast as the day continued. Her eyes scanned the stalls jumping from face to face with no luck.

When the yelling began her eyes darted to the face of the purple hair woman. Her features caught Zelda's attention immediately, it was more than just the ears. She looked like she might be Hylian, no one that Zelda knew but there was always a chance and she had to find out. As she approached she heard the argument and tried not to smile. Zelda knew something of these games after spending time watching them and they might have been unfair but they were free.

Zelda approached slowly with a small smile. "You shouldn't yell at the moogle it's not his fault. Why don't you give it a try? It's really not to bad." It didn't seem likely for the woman to stop her raving to give the game a chance but Zelda was curious. She had said that she forbid them in her own kingdom. Her own kingdom, so not skyloft, but there was much of the world that Zelda hasn't seen. What was this kingdom like?

Zelda's moogle stayed flying behind her. He didn't want to get involved in the screaming.

[lorule]

Hilda turned around when she heard someone trying to calm her down; admittedly she should. She wasn't like that usually; maybe the shock from having been taken from her home had been too much. Still she froze in her tracks when she saw who had just spoken.

"You...?"

No, it was not her. A few years younger maybe, and her hair were drastically different. That and she didn't have the royal posture of Princess Zelda, and yet... Judging by the face and tone alone, they could be twin. And the ears, could it be just a coincidence? She shook her head and tried to hide the surprise; she would have to make sure.

"There are games like this in my kingdom." She explained on a somewhat quieter tone, "Their only purpose is to steal poor people in exchange for a false hope. I shall not try them."

[goddessofthesky]

"Aren't these games free?" Zelda gestured over to the games as she spoke. She noticed the expression on the woman's face when their eyes met. It was almost recognition, maybe something else?

When the screaming was over her moogle flew next to Zelda adjusting his new green hat. He wasn't used to it but it was a present from Zelda so he accepted it happily.

[lorule]

Free? She hadn't actually paid attention to that, but she figured that they were not. After all, they hadn't been free back in her homeworld, so there was no reason for them to be free in this world. She shook her head. "I do not know, but I--"

She froze however, once again, when she noticed the hat the little moogle was wearing. The physical resemblance between this woman and Princess Zelda might have been nothing more than a fantastic coincidence, but the hat-- There was no way these two things together were nothing more than a coincidence.

"Where did this creature get this hat...?"

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda reached out and pulled her moogle close when the woman asked about his hat. Kupola was fine with it and sat happily kicking his little legs while sitting in her arms. It was Zelda's idea for him to wear the hat. She had altered one they found earlier to resembles Link's hat.

"I got it for him. It reminds me of home." Her voice was gentle but her arms tightened slightly around Kupola. "...and what it means to be a true hero." It gave her strength, reminding her of her hero and friend. Someone she wasn't sure she would see again.

[lorule]

Well, if everything so far hadn't been enough hints, the bit about the hate reminding her what is means to be a true hero was confirmation enough. At least, this revelation calmed her down enough that she didn't pay attention to the poor person in charge of the chest mini-game.

"... So you are a friend of Link, are you not?" She asked as she still looked at the hat before looking back at Zelda. Even if they probably weren't thinking about the same Link.

Golsaucia's Stand

[neverfirstclass]

For some odd reason, with all the things that had not quite gone as planned in his life, and the sudden arrival here, Cloud found himself remarkably good at games. It didn't matter how absurd the game was, or how contrived the setup was to play it, he seemed to have an edge on it that other people he saw playing didn't have.

He glanced over from his own place on the stand, setting down the pop gun on the counter. "I could give it a try for you if you want." His moogle barely fluttered in the air behind him, carrying a sack of prizes.

[lorule]

Hilda shook her head when Cloud offered to try the game. Useless, all he would manage to accomplish is losing money at best, his pride at worst.

"I would advise against it, there is no hope of winning at this game." She said as she looked at the sack of prize "Lest you be part of their attempt at scamming honest people."

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud shrugged and stepped up to the stand anyway. Even if she turned down his offer, he didn't see any reason to NOT try his luck. Paying the entry fee for the game, he walked over to the collection of treasure chests. He mulled it over for a good minute and then opened up a chest seemingly at random.

A medium value prize! Not a grand winner, but certainly not a loss either. He turned back to Hilda, waggling the stuffed toy (a pink bunny in a green tunic) at her with a blank expression. It was still hers if she wanted it.

[lorule]

She didn't believe for a second that he would win anything (or maybe 1 gils in the best of cases). And she was very wrong. For an instant, Hilda looked with surprise at the prize, but then she went back to frowning. It was as if these people were working together to make a fool out of here.

"How did you know there would be a prize in this chest?" She asked.

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud just shrugged, an indifferent look on his face, "I just guessed. I've always been lucky at dumb games like this." He glanced down at the toy again and held it out once more, "You want it?"