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

[shinrasfinest]

He was not yet fighting a war, though if that play earlier was any indication it certainly seemed that it was the intention for him being brought here. That is, if it wasn't all just a trauma-dream. If Sephiroth could put aside that insecure feeling, that crisis of existence reeling around inside his mind perhaps he might be able to take the first steps to filling the big expectation a number of the locals had about him.

He hadn't personally encountered too many of the other Heroes, preferring to keep a cautious distance in case it might wrap the dream space tighter around his consciousness. Staring up into the firework-lit night sky, his consciousness felt lesser attached to him, and surely the dream would break with his quickly-settling exhaustion from the days activities.

"Any Festival draws out its intended audience." He commented, lowering his fervid eyes and dragging them over the knight that had approached him. Though tired, Sephiroth still retained himself firmly behind his defensive wall.

[lodossknight]

Guarded he was because the knight was catching onto this defensive wall. Though it did not deter Parn too much. At the very least he would respect the man's space, and allow him that much security. It was unsettling enough to be uprooted from your home and brought here unexpectedly without consent. Even Parn was a little unhinged, he was just more fluid to go along with the situation than try to resist it. He was kind by nature after all.

"Which we're now part of, for now. After which, it will likely head in a different direction." The direction intended for their summoning, he was sure. Festivities were suppose to relieve stress after all. He had partaken in a few himself, of course they never lasted long. Considering he wasn't really sure where this country stood politically.

[shinrasfinest]

At its most basic, the entire set of circumstances that had been explained to him -from a moogle, no less!- seemed far too fantastical to have any root in truth and that was why Sephiroth had been quick to logically identify it as a dream rather than accept that somehow he had been bodily transported to some other universe. Especially since he was experiencing more than a little discomfort due to the climate and extensive exploration of the day, something that Sephiroth never had any need to pay mind to, ever. Nevermind that Aqures Ixen seemed itself like it belonged in a children's story, with all its Festival of Light decor, food and games to match as well.

Besides, how else to explain the shattering of the building all around him. Clearly, in reality, he'd hit his head pretty hard on the way down and the various discomforts was his imagination covering up (or being made to cover up) injuries that he was now in recovery from. He was already adding more regret to the day that he had ever introduced Genesis to summon materia. Moreover, even if he did entertain the notion that it might actually be real, what were the chances that himself, Angeal and Genesis would have all been brought here together? Though, that didn't seem to be much of a solid argument, given the 'Hero' angle.

"As you say so." He replied to Parn, polite to a fault however he didn't believe it. In the meantime, a light nighttime breeze swept by them, ruffling the long edges of hair and jacket and cooling his face a little as it shifted short bangs around it. Sephiroth made a small sigh of a noise and closed his eyes momentarily into it, taking comfort in the sensation. He'd begun to cool down now, a sure sign that he would wake up in some ShinRa medical facility shortly - the latest loud explosion of fireworks had been significantly less distinct.

Though in truth, Sephiroth was likely more than a little dehydrated which was only compounding his exhaustion. Spencer, having grown more concerned as the evening had drawn on, was quick to flit up into his Hero's face in order to wake him up some. It worked, and Sephiroth blinked the small white ball of fluff back into focus before sternly shaking his head. What the-

"We should get home, Kupo! Before you fall asleep on your feet."

"I'll be fine." He replied, sharply. Spencer was blocking Parn from his line of sight and so for all Sephiroth knew, the knight had vanished already.