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

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia muttered under her breath, barely audible under the din of the crowd. At least it was free. She didn't like having to pinch pennies at all - it reminded her too much of her days on the run, not to mention how accustomed she had become to being waited on hand and foot - but there was no point in acting like her position should net her anything. Not in front of some kid, anyway; there was nothing to be gained from it.

Still, that was surprisingly rude. She sighed, shaking her head. "I urge you to be more careful in future; not everyone will be as forgiving as I in the face of such..."

That's a moogle. This child is...oh, Father above.

"...carelessness." She took a step toward the boy, her voice shifting to an almost conspiratorial volume. "You will come with me; we must speak privately." She turned around without waiting for an answer, her blood already starting to boil. He's just a young man, an innocent. How dare they!

[kuramaless]

Actually... he'd just been about to offer his noodles. It only seemed fair right? He was the one who had made her lose her lunch, and he had plenty--

Just as he was about to offer her the noodles, she had to go off on a rant though, and then suddenly everything changed.

"Huh?"

Her step forward made him take another back, eyes on her, wide - unsure. "Uh--"

She was gone before he knew what was happening, but rather than follow her lead, he just stood - ramen in one hand, chopsticks in the other.

"... Weirdo."

[desertbloomed]

It didn't take a moment for Ashelia to realize the young man wasn't following her. Perhaps I should have spent more time at the house, calming down... Ashelia did not tend to make good decisions when she got wound up. The first 'hero' I meet and he's a child...

She took a deep breath and waded back into the crowd. It didn't take long to find the young man again. "My apologies, young man, I forget myself. I simply wish to speak. I...appeared at the Fire Crystal this morning as well." She looked expectantly at Naruto.

[kuramaless]

Naruto would have taken major offence to being identified as a child, and perhaps not only the child-like affront that someone his age might do. Being labelled because of what he looked like, perhaps - although it might have had more to do with the way he'd been walking without looking, or the way he dressed would anger anyone who was already labelled a hero.

He'd already gotten over his strange meeting, and downed the last of his ramen when she approached again, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as she spoke. "... Oh. So, you're from somewhere else too, huh?"

[desertbloomed]

"Yes." She paused, a little taken aback at Naruto's seemingly blasé attitude. "To put it lightly." Now that she was standing in front of this kid, she wasn't sure what to say, which frustrated her even more. She needed information, needed allies, and now she wasn't too sure Naruto could provide her with either one. He's a child. What's of use to you is immaterial.

"I am the Lady Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca." She moved to offer a hand in greeting, but stopped, switching sides when after noticing which hand he used to wipe his mouth.

[kuramaless]

Right.

Naruto wasn't sure what was supposed to be going on here, but compassion was something he seemed to access without really thinking too much about the need for it. He could sympathise easily enough, in a situation he comprehended well - but this was just strange.

Of course, it didn't help that she'd chosen to switch hands, and after only a moments pause he reached out, taking it firmly to give a shake. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. Number one candidate for Hokage!" If she was going to use her full title, so was he.

[desertbloomed]

"Well met, Uzumaki." Ashelia's grip was strong and confident, but the young man's...disposition still threw her for a loop. He didn't seem to be angry, or scared, or frustrated at all. If he was the number one candidate for Hokage, whatever that meant, should he not be upset to be dragged away from his home? Perhaps a different tactic was in order.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself at the festival," Ashelia began. "Is this world that different from your own?"

[kuramaless]

"Er. Jus' call me Naruto." He added - frowning at her and realising that he might have heard her name - but he certainly didn't know what it was. Not that it was any trouble right now. Those things rarely were.

"Oh, 'cause of the stuff goin' on?" He asked, taking a quick look around and coming back to face her with a grin and a brief nod. "It's kinda awesome. Never seen so many food shops around. You know, we have festivals or whatever - but mostly it's just people talkin' or watching matches or whatever."

[desertbloomed]

"As you wish. Lady Ashelia will do for myself."

Ashelia cast a glance around, one eyebrow raised. She was fairly sure she could throw a better festival in Rabanastre. If she wanted to. "Matches? My moogle informed me of a sport by the name of blitzball." Oh yeah, look at her, she's hip, she's cool. She knows about blitzball. "If that is where your interest lies, perhaps you should seek it out." And stay away from the castle.

[kuramaless]

"Alright, Lady." He murmured, not terribly focused on the conversation they were having, but more intent on wondering where his next stop along the row of food stands was going to be.

She kept talking to him though, and Naruto wasn't rude, not really. Just, distracted.

"Blitzball?" It sounded cool, at least. "The heck's that?"

[desertbloomed]

Blink. "Lady Ashelia," she corrected.

"I know not," Ashelia admitted, which was very hard for her to do. "My moogle attempted to explain, but I'll admit it's somewhat...low on my list of priorities." She narrowed her eyes. "I'm most interested in finding out why we've been brought here so abruptly. Are you not?"

[kuramaless]

Oh. Right.

"Kinda sounded like you knew about it." He mumbled, ignoring the fact that she'd corrected him - it didn't matter really, and if she was going to be picky about being called a lady, weeeeell she'd have a treat in store for later, wouldn't she?

"Well - yeah, but this is the last day of the party right? So, if it's gonna be gone tomorrow I ain't wastin' my time thinkin' about that stuff." He mused, shrugging as he spoke.

"'sides, the moogle told me. We were brought here to help out. Nothin' we can do. Can't use my chakra, no sign of Kurama. Dunno where Sasuke is, an' if there was somethin' real wrong he'd probably be here too."

[desertbloomed]

It was time for Ashelia to disengage. She could tell she wouldn't be able to get through to Naruto, not about what she wanted to talk about anyway. There is...a fundamental difference here. For him to dismiss all the concerns she thought one should have in this situation just like that...

'Tis madness, plain and simple.

"Then I shan't keep you. Our predicament surely pales in comparison to the delights to be had at the festival." Ice cold.

[kuramaless]

Naruto's gaze dropped down to stare at his ramen, and then back up at Ashelia - picking up on her concern had taken him this long, but it was only then that he really understood the magnitude of it.

Bowl still in hand, he made his intention to follow her known, shovelling some more ramen in his mouth.

"Well--" swallowing. "What are we supposed to do about it?"