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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well...

He was pretty sure his own acting wouldn't be remotely better. There had been an obvious mix-up, and--for some reason--everyone seemed to believe he was one of the, uh...actors? Not just that, but they seemed to believe he was one of the main actors. Ugh, talk about one hell of a misunderstanding. He hadn't even been here, all that long, damn it!

Nevertheless, there he was...after having been dragged out onto the stage...

Luke suppressed a sigh as he felt the eyes shift onto him. O-oh, right...it was...his turn, wasn't it? Forcing his expression to tense, he...almost manages to look...fierce.

"Not if...we can help it! There won't be a breath to fall before, dread...dragon, seeing as we're...soon to make you take your last one!" Nailed it...

...Only, not really, seeing as those pauses were in terrible places. Again, Luke was suppressing the urge to sigh. The thing was, he had no idea what the script was supposed to say. He was kind of just...saying whatever seemed fitting. After the other "heroes" delivered their lines, it was time to "fight" the "dragon", apparently...

Cloud could barely see Luke through the eye slits of the mask. The whole thing was built for someone taller than him, sure, but at the same time you'd think that for a play as important as this they could have afforded some better craftsmanship. In any case, Cloud didn't need to see Luke's face to imagine the expression. He could tell the other actor was pushed into this too, but at least he had the better role.

Cloud was just glad his own lines were done and came out swinging. The raking claws of the dragon came slow and wide. Blind punches and arm swings were thrown about, not wanting to actually hit anyone and making sure he was giving them a chance to counter attack.

He didn't like losing a fight on purpose, but he was going to work his hardest. Even for a crap job like this.

((ooc: btw, I just started playing Abyss for the first time, so please be kind on spoilers :D ))

His costume was, fortunately, much easier to deal with -- he kind of...felt bad for the person in that dragon costume. Once the "fight" started, Luke had an easy time moving across the stage. Thank Lorelei, for his improved speed and agility...

The redhead could tell the stranger was doing his best to avoid hitting anyone. As the redhead let the ones that were also acting as heroes get in their feigned hits, he hung back as much as possible. Since he wasn't even sure on his actual role, he was following everyone else's lead.

Minutes later, he could hear the crowd egging the heroes on. A soft smirk appeared. Then, he was given a visual cue, of sorts, to start attacking more. Biting back the urge to groan in slight annoyance at the uncertainty he felt, he nimbly moved right into the dragon's face. With that, he landed a soft blow to the side of the costume, "Die, dragon!"

It was in that moment, it seemed everyone was landing their "final blows". Huh...guess the fight was supposed to be ending soon? Seriously, Luke had no idea, and could only hope it wouldn't end on a super boring note. It was supposed to be an exciting play, after all, right?

[[OOC: No problem! This Luke's been to two other worlds, aside from Auldrant, so he'll likely dwell on memories of those worlds, more. ♥ Also, if you ever need any pointers/tips/assistance, feel free to lemme know.]]

Cloud took heavy steps backward as he was hit with the foam weapons. The redhead actor was nice enough, but that other swordsman was just enjoying himself way too much. How did he not know how to pull his punches? This was going to leave a bruise for sure.

With Luke's line at least, he gave a soft sigh. He was almost done here, "No! This power! How can this be!" All the actors raised their weapons and the pyrotechnics and light effects all went off, the heroes casting Ultima as one. He shouted and stepped back into the trap door that opened behind him. "ARRRRGH!"

For a brief second in midair, Cloud worried that something else would go wrong, but the cushion was exactly where it was supposed to be. The impact knocked off his mask and he took in the first breath of fresh air he'd had in the past half hour. "Ugh...finally."

He saw that one actor putting a bit too much into his swing. Giving the stranger an obvious frown, he resisted the urge to say something, right then. Once everything went off, Luke watched the flashes as he followed the lead of the other actors. Blinking softly, he watch the dragon disappear into the floor.

...A part of him wanted to just...follow after, for the sake of getting the hell off of the stage.

Instead, however, he delivered his final on-the-spot lines and bowed when it came time to. The cheers and whistles would have surprised him if not for the fact he truly thought the other actors deserved them. They'd all did pretty awesomely.

Then, right as the curtains fell, he was making his way backstage. Tearing out of the costume, he let out a long sigh. His moogle assured him that he did pretty awesomely for someone that didn't know his lines, though Luke was sure Ion was just trying to be nice...

With that, he was walking further to the back. Spotting someone with blond hair, he blinked, "Heh...some show, huh?"

Cloud had gotten rid of the dragon costume at this point, but he was still in the sweat soaked smallclothes he had been wearing under it. He broke off from his argument with Mako about whether or not this had been a good idea as Luke walked up. It seemed everyone was meeting him today while he was in the middle of having words with the little fuzzball.

"Uh, yeah. Glad it's over." The plan had been that if he was here maybe he'd see some of his friends, or they would be able to find him. Being stuck in a dragon suit this whole time threw that whole plan under the train. "You were...playing the...Red Mage, right? Thanks for pulling your punches. That costume wasn't as padded as it looked."

He blinked as he caught the last part of the argument the blond was having with the moogle. Scratching the side of his face, he offered the person a sheepish smile. Fortunately, for Ion, Luke had yet to let his lose his temper with him. Of course, the redhead's little friend was super...agreeable.

Not to say that likely wouldn't get annoying, eventually...

"Yeah, no kidding," he said, letting out a sigh, "I wasn't even planning on joining in. I just wanted to get a closer look, was all."

To the question of him being the Red Mage, Luke offered a grin and nod. The next thing the stranger said, though, reminded him of that one idiot -- the one that thought it'd be a good idea to act like it was a real fight, or something. Resting a hand on his hip, he tilted his head to the side and lifted a hand to his side, "Yeah, I thought that's what we were supposed to do, anyway. I'm not sure what that...one person was thinking. Guess they got too excited. You okay?"

He lowered his hand, and then offered it in a handshake (a habit he'd picked up, mostly, from Saeng Seong, since that's the greeting practically everyone gave him), "By the way, my name's Luke."

Cloud shrugged a bit. If the weapons were going to do anything to him, they were only going to bruise. It wasn't that bad but he was still left pretty sore by the whole affair. "I'll be fine. Nothing as bad as basic training."

The frown turns to a soft smile as he took the hand, "I'm Cloud." He glanced at Luke's moogle and then back to the redhead, "So, you too huh? Was your world like this one too is it just me?"

Of course, that might have been what that one guy was thinking. Fake weapons clearly meant it was okay to put your all into the attack, right? ...Idiot.

"Basic training? So, you were part of the military, then?" Returning the smile, though it's a little wider, Luke nodded, "Nice to meet you."

Following the glance, Luke gave a somewhat sheepish look. He'd forgotten to introduce the moogle, "This is Ion, by the way." Then, he blinked at the question, "Huh? ...Oh, uh...Not really. You're not alone, though. I've met a couple of people that have seen things from this world on theirs. As for me, though..."

He paused, glancing to the side, a hand reaching to scratch at the back of his head, "All of the worlds I've seen, so far, have been...different."

Cloud hadn't run into many people from home yet, save for Angeal. He heard Genesis was here, and he saw Sephiroth at the party but hadn't yet worked up the courage to go and talk to his hero. Then there were the couple of people who recognized smaller things, like chocobos or kinds of creatures or things like that, but the locations they mentioned were not ones he remembered. It was strange.

Not as strange as the thing that Luke just said though, "All of the worlds? What do you mean? Has this sort of thing happened to you before?"

The blond's question didn't surprise Luke. Unfortunately, most people had responded the same way, so far. It was...frustrating, actually, being one of very few that had been snatched around to different worlds. Still, Luke gave a smile -- a wry one, but a smile...nonetheless -- as he nodded.

"Yeah, this is," he started, folding his arms over his chest and looking to the side, "...the fourth world I've been on, actually. I arrived here with one of the people from the last world."

"Four worlds, wow." Cloud wasn't sure what to say. He was already feeling antsy about finding a way home and worrying about how things were going there. He couldn't imagine being so far flung out.

"At least you have someone you know with you. There are other people here from Gaia but I didn't really know them that well there. So those other worlds, did you end up in them like we all wound up here?"

Luke would be able to understand that feeling of being antsy. He'd felt it after waking up in California, but...it hadn't taken long, at all, for him to realize it might be best to accept everything. At the rate he was going, he wouldn't likely be seeing home, any time soon. He nodded to the second sentence out of Cloud's mouth, "Yeah, you're right. Although, I...feel kind of bad for being happy about something, like that. Isn't it selfish to be happy that someone you care about is trapped on another planet, with you?"

To the question, he tensed his brow. There was a moment where he had to think about it, since he hadn't considered that, yet, "Well...I can't say, for sure. The other two worlds that I woke up on, more recently," he started, hand moving to his chin, "Well, they both had one thing in common. The people, there, acted incredibly happy to have us. The first place, California, spirited everyone, there, for some bastard's sick enjoyment. He wanted to watch us struggle for survival..."

His expression dimmed, for a moment. Shifting in his stance, he let out a sigh, shaking his head. As though he was determined not to linger on that any more than he had to, he forced his face back to how it was, prior to the dimming, "Then, Saeng Seong...claimed to need everyone's help with fueling the planet's energy. Apparently, they were able to gain some spiritual energy out of people touching, or something. Anyway, now...there's this," he gestured to the side, "So...I guess, in a way, it was all pretty different. I haven't been able to find a common link..."

It's all quite a bit to take in, and Cloud maked no effort to hide his reaction. Those other worlds sounded like quite the ordeal. Luke seemed to be in good spirits, but he imagined that all of this traveling was a lot more draining than he was showing. That flash of pain Luke showed during his story expressed that well enough.

"Hmmm, who knows. Maybe there are gods who like to throw us into strange situations just to see what we do." Cloud mused over it, but he wasn't entirely sure what to believe or if he even believed anything. "At least this world is a bit...I don't know. Normal I guess?" He was still worried about people back home, but there were worse fates than being stuck in this place it seemed.

Luke's never been the greatest at hiding his emotions -- his ability to lie (or...lack, thereof) was something that mirrored that. In truth, the replica was very tired. Not physically...mentally. He'd made friends that he doubted he would ever see again. There were some he was beyond worried about, too. He'd left one in a very...dangerous place, honestly.

Even three worlds, later, he still thought about Takasu, and wondered if he'd found someone to protect him.

"At this point, I can't say I'd disagree..." About the gods, that is, "Well, this world isn't...too different from Auldrant, I guess?"

Cloud could see that tiredness, and thought perhaps it was best to stop pestering Luke with his questions. Still, he can't help but ask the obvious one. It just fits, conversationally at least, "Auldrant is where you're originally from?" The tone makes it clear he's just checking his own train of thought, not mining for anything further.

He turned and looked around the party, at all the gathered people. "So we're all supposed to be legendary heroes...Come to think of it, I don't think they ever said much on where the legend comes from." He made a mental note to chase that down.

He didn't consider it to be pestering. In fact, he was pretty used to being asked about the worlds he's visited. It...seemed he was part of a rare few, to have seen more than just one other. Luke nodded to the question regarding Auldrant, taking a clue from that tone, "Yeah."

The replica's expression turned thoughtful, for a moment. Honestly, he'd like to know that, as well. Where did the legend actually come from? For all they knew...it could have changed, somewhere along the way. Wasn't that kind of how things such as rumors and stories told, by mouth, worked? Details get altered or even taken out (or added in, for that matter). Sadly, there was a chance they'd never know the original story, fully. Though...there was always the chance they could. So, he'd be looking into it, without a doubt. The redhead glances to the side, hand scratching through his head, in thought.

"Yeah, you're right. We should look into that." After a pause, he looked back to Cloud, "Well, I should probably get back to looking around. I'm sure you do, as well, right?"

"Yeah, probably." He looked around once more and then smiled at Luke, "Everyone here seems to be good people. Some of them are even ones I looked up to back home. Sephiroth was my hero growing up, and Angeal trained my best friend towards becoming one. With them with us I'm sure we'll figure this out."

He offered his hand to the redhead, "It was nice meeting you, Luke."

"Yeah, you're right. I haven't met anyone that isn't, so far," he started with a faint smile, also glancing around.

His eyebrows lifted at the mention of Sephiroth and Angeal. He hadn't met those two, yet, but he made a mental note that the three were connected. He was glad that Cloud had people he knew, from home. That was a...thing that wasn't common, "Hey, that's good that you have people you know!"

Nodding to the last part, he chuckled. Well, hopefully they'd be meeting, again. While there was a part of him that was...just a bit hesitant to get close, there was also the part of him that truly liked having friends. He just...didn't want to get close to more people, only to wind up on another world where he had to start from scratch. Accepting the hand, he shook it, "You, too, Cloud! Good luck with finding people you know!"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Prelude || The Festival Of Light

2 - time to make this even more painful...

Sorry for being slow myself, I got sick

No worries! I basically just wound up dealing with the same thing l-lol

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject