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

Rano Golsausia's Stands

[wear_tear_rust]

The bustling booths and the scent of sugary snacks accompanied by laughter and cheers was rare for Angeal. Sure, he had seen such sights at the Gold Saucer when he used to go there as a special treat for the Second and Third Class SOLDIERs that passed their qualifying exams. To be frank, he had grown tired of the same old thing.

This place was a little different. The sounds of children laughing and playing caught his attention as he watched them for a few minutes.

"Kupo?" Lester broke the silence and Angeal looked at the moogle floating next to him. Lester hadn't seen Angeal this way but instead of talking, he walked toward the booths.

He looked from one to the other until the shooting gallery caught his attention. Silently, he watched the man that also possessed a moogle but something was odd about him. He looked like Genesis but older. He thought then that maybe he was witnessing various incarnations of his childhood friend. He had no idea that Sho was someone different.

The warrior, now clothed in his SOLDIER uniform folded his arms and waited. At least the objective of the game seemed simple enough but one of the targets seemed strange yet familiar at the same time. His brow lifted as he eyed the same target as Sho without realizing the significance.

With each shot fired, Angeal kept his eyes focused. It was similar to training, only this time it was much more chaotic.

"Pull the trigger on the exhale." It was a habit of Angeals that he simply couldn't shake.

[urnotafraid]

"You gotta a problem with how I aim, then you do it," Sho said, not looking at the guy making a comment about firing on exhale. He knew that, knew a lot of tricks, some of which weren't normal or even humanly possible despite how much he pushed himself to match to speed and skills of his mentor. He had been considered very fast and very hard to hit by other gunmen, and when he was just being in a fight, he had done some really stupidly impossible moves, but he was still human.

But the guy that said it probably was use to telling people how to do things. Sho glanced over his shoulder at the big guy while he was refilling, noting the hard expression and the very military-like clothing he wore. Sho might not have been in the military having been first keeping far away from the press gangs roaming the streets and later in the loving care of his vampire friend, but he knew what one looked like. His streets senses definitely would have avoided that guy if he saw him wandering the markets back home.

[wear_tear_rust]

"This is your show." Angeal's expression remained impassive but the way this man spoke certainly had his attention. This wasn't Genesis and he almost stuck his foot in something deep.

He hadn't moved nor changed his posture in any way to depict his mistake. What started off as a small, simple joke might turn ugly if he kept up. Instead, Angeal chose to watch this man work. Apologizing wasn't something that no SOLDIER ever did unless it was a grievous mistake or clearly something that ticked someone else off. It was only polite, at best.

For the most part, Angeal was willing at least give a small grin as if he was mentally taking up the challenge. He thought of making a wager on it but he really didn't know this man at all. This dream of his was stranger by the minute. At least he could learn a thing or two.

[urnotafraid]

"So they tell me," he grumbled but broke off with the conversation. He had more important things to do than bother with some military guy standing at his shoulder.

She clearly has been trained, though it was with a very eccentric hand, something that would easily be noticeable as he switched hands to fire at targets on his other side instead of changing his stance. He really saw no reason to move like crazy; after all, it wasn't like they were firing at him.

[wear_tear_rust]

While targets fell one by one, Angeal's expression remained the same. With no need to lecture, not that it was appreciated to begin with, he stayed out of the way and simply watched.

After the last fire was shot, he lifted his chin with a smirk and scoff. "Not bad."

In fact, this guy reminded him of Zack as far as the showing off was concerned. The attitude left much to be desired. Then again, it wasn't Angeal's place to judge.

[urnotafraid]

"Yah, it could've been better, but these re pretty cheap air guns," he replied, grinning a little.

He at least did not miss any of the targets thrown up, unlike a few other people trying their luck with the guns. He wasn't sure if it was because the guns were that badly taken care of, or if it was because guns were not common. He was probably the only person standing there with six guns on him and a couple pockets full of ammo.

"You really don't seem like the type to use guns much." He had noticed the big sword on his back and the way he held himself. Sho might be a street punk in many ways, but he also was a quick one. He knew the art of seeing from just a glance. He also was handing over his winnings to the kids clustered around watching him, keeping an eye on the big guy while he did so.

[wear_tear_rust]

"You're right. I don't, but that doesn't mean I hadn't trained with them. I'm more of a hand to hand combatant. The sword is for show." Which was pretty much the truth and he punctuated the response with a grin.

Angeal was pleased to see that the man in his presence was generous with the kids and that spoke a lot about Sho's character. He smiled and nodded while the kids cheered. "It's good that you're making a favorable impression with the kids. We don't see a lot of that these days."

[urnotafraid]

"Eh, kids deserve a little treat and it would be a waste if I take them. I mean that fuzzy guy would rather have books than a soft toy that looks like him."

He finished handing the toys out and sat back to watch the kids run off with them, looking more than a little wistful at them. This place wasn't bad from what he could tell, but it still wasn't Mallepa. If he was to believe what Zal was telling him, he wasn't even on the same planet and that was the scariest thing to think of. To be so far away from his family, especially his daughter, was not something he wanted to dwell on at all.

[wear_tear_rust]

"I agree." Seeing the smiling faces of the children as they collected their bounty from Sho made Angeal realize that there was a lot more to this man than what he had initially thought. He hadn't judged a person before and he felt a bit of guilt just then. Since he hadn't said aloud what his mind had told him, he pushed it aside and smiled.

"I'm Angeal. While this isn't home, I suppose being the hero means more than the stories. It starts with the children, I believe." He stepped back as one little boy ran out in front of him while laughing and Angeal chuckled as he watched. "To them, we're the stuff of legends."

While he didn't know what Sho was thinking, the fondness was there and Angeal's expression softened a bit. "Do you have family?"

[urnotafraid]

"Sho," he responded, fingering the cheap bracelet that he kept from his loot. It was some kind of stone - nothing he recognized, but certainly not glass. It needed a new string but the stones were pretty enough to justify pocketing it. He was always looking for a little more bling to add to the stuff he already wore. "It's better being legends than being royal pain in the asses."

The last kid ran off and he stood up, memories of Yi-Che and of Hana taking some of the joy out of the day. It took a long moment to answer, and then it wasn't very loud when he did so. "Yah."

[wear_tear_rust]

Angeal gave a small but sad smile. His family died and the memories he had of them were painful but good ones. Thoughts of his mother and step-father were still strong enough to forge in him a new set of rules that he thought were good for this place. His mother was often giving when she had anything to spare. Perhaps he could do the same.

As Sho stood up, he thought to ask since he had brought it up. "You're fortunate."

Angeal looked away. He would like to have a family of his own but that wasn't something he could feasibly have back home. Genetic degrading and diffusion wasn't something he wanted to discuss. The other issue being would anyone ever want to. It was a harsh reality not being human anymore, but somehow he was here now and no longer known as a SOLDIER Type G.

[urnotafraid]

"I wouldn't say that," he replied, wincing a little.

He was lucky, sure, he had a beautiful wife and a smart, beautiful daughter. There wasn't very many men in his kind of lifestyle that could say the same, but at the same time, it felt like a burden to have such a life. To know that if he couldn't be strong enough, that someone would easily use them. And with Yi-Che's sickness and his world falling apart, how much longer before Hana was going to stay safe? Kei would keep her safe, but he hoped it would keep her from this life.

Mallepa would chew her up and make her hard if it didn't kill her first.

"Sorry. It hasn't been a good year for my family back home."

[wear_tear_rust]

Silently he stood and listened with not just his ears but with his eyes and heart as well. Something had happened to Sho but it wasn't a subject he wanted to delve into just yet when they weren't even that close.

"Mm." He nodded once to prevent himself from sticking his foot in his mouth, in a manner of speaking. He tried to find something encouraging to say but through the way the festival was carrying on, there were far too many distractions and ears that might think differently of their heroes and he wasn't about to have Sho suffer an ill places rumor. It was better to leave it be.

"You'll see them soon." He hoped so, anyway.