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Melodies of Life Moderators ([personal profile] melodiesmods) wrote in [community profile] melodiesoflife2014-08-03 11:23 pm

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.
neverfirstclass: hikaritoyami.dreamwidth.org (Default)

[personal profile] neverfirstclass 2014-08-15 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Cloud's mistake is confirmed when Angeal gets up. It's definitely not Zack, he can say for sure now. If it wasn't for the fact that Zack had told him about his mentor, the Cloud might well have confused him for a relation.

"Ah, yes sir. My name is Cloud. I'm part of the Shinra infantry. Zack is a friend of mine." It's remarkable how at once he feels both awkward and at ease in fromt of his man. "You're Zack's mentor? He talks about you all the time. Did he end up here too?"
wear_tear_rust: (Hm.)

[personal profile] wear_tear_rust 2014-08-16 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The revelation was a comfort and it showed on Angeal's face. He nodded his head once and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Cloud. Infantry or not, any friend of Zack's is worth meeting."

He wasn't about to be pessimistic with the idea that Zack would never be seen here and in a way, he hoped that he wasn't here. It was hard on him and the memory was still very fresh that he pushed his friend and pupil away. Zack, he knew, needed to stand on his own and while the action was harsh it was necessary.

"I don't know." Angeal's voice softened just enough to betray his emotional imbalance, however slight. He rubbed his chin in thought, an action he often did when he was uncertain about something. He wasn't sure if he should search for Zack or law low. They didn't entirely part on the most friendly of terms.

"He's too stubborn to be this quiet." Angeal mused.
neverfirstclass: hikaritoyami.dreamwidth.org (Default)

[personal profile] neverfirstclass 2014-08-19 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Cloud thought about it for a moment, but then he nodded in agreement, "You have a point. If he was here he probably would have climbed on top of something and have been shouting our names by now."

Cloud looked around at the ongoing festival. The play was a draw, but not the only one that had pulled in a big crowd. "This place is strange. It's like Gaia, but not quite. The little things are different." And the big things too, but there was also a more subtle difference at work here. "And then there's the other people who say they're from other worlds. Most of them don't even know what a Moogle or a Chocobo is..."
wear_tear_rust: (Hm.)

[personal profile] wear_tear_rust 2014-08-20 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
The thought of Zack shouting all over town was another imaginary visual that Angeal had in mind that made him chuckle. "The town would never be the same again."

While the patrons were leaving once the play was done, Angeal thought it best to do some exploring while he spoke with the trooper. Varied scents of taffies and other snacks wafted through the aisles from the departing guests and it was enough to make Angeal wonder if there was ever such a thing as moderation. Then again, he didn't have any children to teach what the concept meant but he certainly missed training new recruits.

The thought of what happened in Modeoheim and the chaos the area had underwent during the insurgence with AVALANCHE, he thought back on the time and had to shake his thoughts away. What if he wasn't dreaming this at all and was placed here for a reason? Other than being a Hero of Light, he wondered if this was a new chance to prove that he wasn't as far gone as he had thought he was initially.

He placed his hand on his chin in thought. It made sense now that they were in a new place and not just some concocted memory forced through by mako induced brain washing. "You're on to something. I've encountered the same issue. What do you think this place could be?"
neverfirstclass: hikaritoyami.dreamwidth.org (Default)

[personal profile] neverfirstclass 2014-08-22 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Angeal may have been wondering about moderation, but the more Cloud walked around the festival the more the excess calmed him. This place was lively in ways that reminded him as much of Nibelheim as they did of Midgar. Sure Midgar had its opulent and pricey indulgences, but this festival with all of its free games and food reminded him of some of the small local festivals that Nibelheim and other nearby backwater towns had. Or at least ones he'd heard of. The adults in town always got a bit rowdy whenever a new batch of the local moonshine was finished. The parties and festivals legitimized it.

Cloud shook his head as Angeal called him back to the conversation at hand, "I'm not sure. My moogle will only tell me so much, but he says it's because he doesn't know much." Mako gave an annoyed little 'harumph'. Cloud glared at it before continuing, "I guess all we can do is explore and keep looking for answers."
wear_tear_rust: (It's over.)

[personal profile] wear_tear_rust 2014-08-23 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Agreed." Angeal said with a nod.

It was true that there weren't many answers to be had but then again, Angeal didn't think to ask his moogle either. It seemed strange to talk to a plush toy that was a bit more advanced or a hallucination brought on by mako sleep, if that was really the cause.

Still, Angeal couldn't place his finger on what caused it all and why was a trooper in his dream? It didn't make sense and it seemed random but dreams were often random anyway.

He turned his head toward the exit of the theater. "I suppose all we have left is to do as you suggest. We'll catch up another time. Until then, take care." Angeal said as he turned to face the door and began to walk up the aisle.

If they crossed paths again, then maybe it was more than just a dream.