melodiesoflife | 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

Awakening

He'd been running for what felt like a life time. Feet clad in uniformed boots carried the weight of a task he didn't want, a charge he'd sooner drop in favor of spending mornings still tucked away in the sanctuary of his bed. The gap between the two of them grew larger with every passing second, his fingers unable to reach out and hold onto the one sure truth he knew in this strange and mixed up world. The cascade of gold and autumn wound amongst shades of green and pink seemed blurry as he was losing focus on her as she kept running further ahead, leaving him behind and keeping him in solitude when the thing he wanted most was to know that her warm smile was still there.

Link can hear nothing but the sound of his feet hitting what sounds like the tune of his future, a long and lonely path that will forever see him running towards the unobtainable company of his childhood friend. Before he can even realize it, the ground beneath him begins to break away, like brittle leaves crumbling under his weight. Arms struggle to reach, trying to pluck whatever edge they can hold onto to not lose sight of his love; the promise he'd made and the quest he had been given.

Weightlessness surrounds him in the darkness of the dream, the footsteps long passing their echo to the unknown as the voice of Zelda rings inside his head. It's as if he's drowning in the reality of knowing that he'll never be able to be the man she wants, the hero his people needs, the friend he wants to be..

"Wake up.."

It stirs something inside of the pit of his stomach, churning his heft of worry like rocks which further weigh down his doubt and dread.

"Wake up, dupo!"

When the light first enters his eyes, it feels to him as if he's been trapped in some horrific coma, waking for the first time and unable to control the muscles in his limbs. The voice sounded soft and reminiscent of the friend he had been searching for, but from his perspective it seemed to be coming from some fluttering blur hanging above his prone body.

"Hey! You okay, dupo? Who's this "Zelda", huh?"

- - - - - - -

Anytime/Anywhere: During the Festivities

When he finally had his bearings in order, Link had taken to the crowded streets about the city in hopes of seeing if he might not be the only one from Skyloft who had been brought here. It does take some effort trying to get any sort of straight answer from the many denizens, considering they mostly keep to praising him and labeling him a hero as if they knew the world he'd come from. Still, he keeps the pressure on, almost shouting as he tries to speak above the crowds.

"H-Hey! Listen! Can anyone tell me if they've seen a young woman with blonde hair, with tails tied in front of her ears and a tail at the middle of her back? She's got pointed ears, and deep, blue eyes! Please, has anyone seen her?"

Oh-ho? Kaji, in fact, has seen the exact woman that Link is describing. Zelda mentions a 'childhood friend' hero back home. And now, here's a man with elf ears, looking for someone who looks just like her.

"K-kupo?" Shinji starts, but Kaji shushes him.

"Hang on," he mutters. "This could get interesting."

The 'friends' will clearly find each other, eventually. But because Kaji is meddlesome, curious, and slightly bored, he is going to intervene.

"Hello, there! A fellow Hero of Light, I assume?" Kaji speaks up as he approaches, to announce his presence. He even manages to say 'Hero of Light' with a straight face, instead of the sarcasm he wants to put behind it.

"Ryoji Kaji, Kaji's just fine. Now," eyebrows raised, and an intrigued smile on his face, "who's this you're looking for?"

He'd expected most people here to be like the other citizens, nothing but praise and prattling on about this "hero of light" business. At first, given the man's response, Link assumed he was just another citizen. It isn't until he introduces himself and takes an interest in his question that Link finally feels as if he's making some progress.

"Kaji? My name's Link. I'm looking for a friend of mine. I'm not sure if she's here as well but her name is Zelda. She has pointed ears not unlike my own, and hair that shines like the morning sun."

It's a grandiose description, but one that he honestly believes to be true. For a moment, the Knight cocks his head back and to the side, giving the other gentleman a once over before attempting to confirm his suspicion.

"Did I hear you right? You said a 'fellow hero', yes?"

Kaji smiles widely when he sees that his guess was right on the money, but he tries to make it just look friendly, not the amusement he is feeling at the moment. Kaji nods, answers Link's last question first. "Nice to meet you, Link. Fellow hero, yes. There seem to be quite a few of us running around here, a lot of people who don't know this place, or that have a new fluff-ball following them."

"He-ey!" Shinji puffs up in indignation.

"No offense, Shinji."

Kaji doesn't look like the sword-swinging type like Link, but is dressed in robes that he has already managed to make look disheveled, and the moogle is wearing his hat, instead of him. A sharp contrast to Link's own polished look.

"But this girl," let's focus in on the important part. Kaji tilts his head, and gives Link a knowing look, one eyebrow raised. "Girlfriend from back home?"

The question shouldn't surprise him that much, considering the way Link had been asking about her. One would naturally assume such a thing if they didn't know of their dynamic. Still.. He cannot help but flail for a moment, his face going blush and his eyes going wide as he tries to think of a way to answer without further assumption.

Unfortunately, he's sure his reaction to the query is a dead giveaway to some deeper, lesser known feelings than he would care for others to know.

"N-Not my girlfriend, no. Childhood friend. We were practically raised together. She's just a really good friend that I've been searching for. Have you seen her? Does her not being my girlfriend have anything to do with her possibly being here?"

And that's two for two. Kaji smiles, and holds up a placating hand. "Easy, there. I did, in fact, see a woman with long blonde hair, and ears like yours, wearing a suit of armor, and carrying a moogle."

And you two are obviously stupid over each other. Finally, something truly interesting around here. Kaji smiles and puts a hand under his chin.

"Fascinating that everyone else's first questions are all about where are we, how are we getting here, but your first concern...is for her. She must be a really good friend, then."

"A suit of armor? Oh.."

Please don't tell him that she's decided to go off and get involved with things here.

Like an animal crossing before a cart, Link looks bewildered at the man before his resolve becomes far more serious as eyebrows furrow and lips tighten.

"She's a very dear friend to me. I've know her since I was a kid. Where did you last see her? Please, tell me so that I can find her."

"Last I saw her was by the game stalls, less than an hour ago." Which is completely accurate, he isn't going to lie to Link on this one. Kaji has gotten the answer he was interested in.

"The moogles said our hosts have given us housing, also, so at least you know where she should eventually be," Kaji suggests. There is still a slightly amused, knowing smile on his lips when he looks at Link.

"So, she's living here in the city?"

A panicked look comes to his face, his eyes darting back and forth as he spins about to try and get his bearings straight.

"You said by the games? Which direction are they?! I have to find her as soon as possible!"

Prelude || The Festival Of Light

The Plunge

During the Festivities

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