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

[her_rose_is_red]

“Right!”

Her smile this time is a lot more genuine and she finally relaxes a little. He's right. Now they both know someone. And that makes it easier. Not being alone makes it much easier to be brave. Just like when he was stuck in the art gallery. Having Garry there made a huge difference. And here she has Rose, and now Kaji and Shinji. It makes her believe they'll be okay.

“Okay, let's go in.”

She turns back to the door and pushes it open. It's a small house, no frills. But more than enough space for two people.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Kaji follows Ib inside and almost stumbles. It takes Shinji to point out the lamps, instead of electricity. The place looks furnished very basically, doesn't look lived-in. "At least they had something ready for us," he comments dryly.

Kaji takes a seat in the front room, doesn't immediately retreat back towards the bedrooms. He looks back over at Ib, and he is trying to keep his face neutral, but there is still something bothering him, badly, about the implications of her being here.

"So, Ib? How old are you?" He keeps his tone light, doesn't want her to suspect anything.

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib nods in agreement.

"It was nice of them to give us all this stuff."

Not just the houses, but the clothes and those crystals. She figures those are probably expensive. She starts poking around in the tiny kitchen, opening cupboards and drawers to see what's inside. Really just dishes and basic cookware. Her answer echoes from inside one of the cupboards.

"Nine..."

After a second, she adds "...and a half."

That half is important when you're still in single digits.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Nine. Kaji is glad that Ib is looking half-inside a cupboard so she doesn't see the tight grimace that his face pulls when she says that. Whoever is doing this to them is bringing in grade-school children to do their fighting for them.

Now what does that sound like?

"I'm a little bit older than that," he responds, and forces a chuckle. He slowly follows to lean against the doorframe of the kitchen and watch what she is picking through. "Do you cook?" Kaji does, but he's just asking questions to keep her at ease at this point.

[her_rose_is_red]

She straightens back up and closes the cupboards.

"Not really. I can make toast and fried eggs though. And spaghetti..."

Ib knows that hardly qualifies as 'cooking.' Her mother has only taught her a few things in the kitchen. Determined to keep on the bright side though, she smiles.

"But I could learn."

She's eager to find a way to be helpful.

[iknowtheconsequences]

"I know how to make a few things, too," Shinji, men who can cook get all the girls. "Between the two of us, we should do fine." The smile comes easier and more genuine that time.

"I've never been to a place like this before." He waves a hand in the vague direction of the door, "A city like this, I mean. Have you?" He is sideways attempting to ask Ib about where she came from without directly asking about 'home.'

[her_rose_is_red]

She shakes her head. Ib from upper class suburbia, very different from a fantasy world like this.

“Not like this. I've been to cities. Sometimes we'd go shopping or see a show, but....”

She turns to gaze out the window in the direction of the city.

“It wasn't like this. There weren't any castles or heroes or anything....”

Turning back away from the window, she takes a seat at the kitchen table. Her next question is a little hesitant.

“Do you think...... the people back home..... Do you think they know we're gone?”

Because maybe it's like the art gallery. Maybe no one will notice and they'll just reappear wherever they were.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Why do kids always ask the hardest questions? It feels like there is a particular answer she wants to hear, but Kaji doesn't know it. Kaji decides in an instant that he shouldn't share his suspicions that his own world has been destroyed. Or, if his world wasn't destroyed, then it's a comfort to him that no one would miss Ryoji Kaji. But, what answer would be a greater comfort to Ib?

"If they do," he slowly decides to answer, "then I'm sure they're looking for you. And they'll be happy to see you when we get this all sorted out and we can send you back."

And then he waits for the reaction, silently hoping that was the right answer.

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib falls silent for a few minutes, staring down at the table in front of her as if it's suddenly fascinating. She knew when she asked that the question was unfair. How could he possibly know something like that? More than anything else, she was just looking for reassurance. She can imagine her parents out looking for her. They'd both be so worried. Garry would be frantic. But she'd gotten back to them before. She escaped the art gallery, and this place isn't nearly as bad. She can do this too. When she look back up, there is a determined smile on her face.

"Then we'll have to get back quickly, right? So they don't worry."

She refuses to even think of the possibility that they might never get home.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Kaji nods, and he can't help but smile back a little bit, partly in relief that his answer didn't disappoint her. "Of course. I still want to know exactly what the people here want us to do." And, more importantly, what they expect a nine year-old kid to do.

"It wouldn't quite be fair for us to go home without helping them out, in some way." Kaji tilts his head a little and gets a very thoughtful look on his face. "But maybe that way doesn't have to be directly fighting?" Something less direct would usually be Kaji's choice, and if he can find a similar choice for Ib, something to keep her out of danger, then he would probably try to pass it along. There has to be another way.

[her_rose_is_red]

She frowns in concentration, going over everything she was told today in her head. Only one thing really stands out.

“Rose told me the Queen is missing. Maybe we're supposed to find her.”

That's her best guess anyway. It sounds like the sort of thing you'd summon heroes from another world for.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Ah, there we go. Kaji nods emphatically, "Actually, you're right. The one person who predicted that we would show up goes missing. Awfully suspicious. Maybe she either had to leave, or someone doesn't want us talking to her. That should be our top priority. I'd like to know what she has to say."

And, that might not be a dangerous task. Or, at least, should be less dangerous than whatever this thing is with the 'Heran Empire.'

[her_rose_is_red]

Encouraged by his agreement, she continues.

"Do you think they'd let us search inside the castle? There might be clues there."

That's where the queen lived right? It seems like the most likely place to start looking.

[iknowtheconsequences]

"Hmm. They might not let us go everywhere in the castle, but we should at least see if it's possible to get in."

But that brings up another point. "Hmm. If there's a Queen, is there a Prince or Princess, some kind of heir? Without her, who's next in line for the throne?" He shrugs. "Probably things to ask the people at the castle."

[her_rose_is_red]

"We could still ask. The worst they could say is no."

That is a good point. Ib tilts her head thoughtfully.

"Someone must be in charge...."

Maybe if they go to the castle they could talk to whoever that is too.