melodiesoflife | Prelude || The Festival Of Light

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.

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Fourteenth District: Food Paradise

There is much to be said about the powerful, natural force of a hurricane. It can wipe out large spreads of land and settlements, level towers and bat away the highest of buildings like gnats without care or concern. They devour anything and everything in their path, leaving those in its wake with grief and misery.

Luffy, much like a hurricane, has taken it upon himself to create a path of destruction. However, where hurricanes might trample dwellings and institutes, Luffy's path focuses solely on the single-minded goal of devouring what seems like an endless array of tables laid out with all manner of new and exotic food for the taking. Hands shovel like bulldozers, lifting whatever plate or bowl he can into his maw while chewing desperately to recharge his exhausted body. How could anyone have any hope of exploring such a strange new place on an empty stomach?

It is then, at this time, that poor Luffy discovers something detrimental to his plans of adventure. While the plate he scores in his mouth certainly fits, it does not seem to want to go down his throat. Clutching his neck, the young pirate's face goes blue, looking about and motioning for someone to alleviate him of the dish.

There's some kind of saying that to learn about a culture, one must sample its cuisine. However, as she was not a gourmand, the subtle hints and implications of Aqures Ixen's food was completely lost on Zojja. It was (mostly) inoffensive to her taste buds and some of it was even good. And so far, no signs of food poisoning. Therefore, she didn't have to worry about starving to death.

She (or more accurately, Kupu) had just picked up a pastry treat at a nearby stand when the sounds of a commotion reached her ears. She could pick up phrases like "he was eating too fast" and "you guys I think he's dying" caught her attention and the little asura squeezed through the crowds to see what was going on. There, she could see exactly what everyone was going on about.

Zojja didn't even know that it was possible for humans to turn that shade of blue.

It didn't seem like anyone was going to help the guy, and she figured that a dead body would be a downer at what was supposed to be a big festival. So she made her way to Luffy and raised the black mage's rod she had been given and solidly whacked him on the back.

Hopefully that would dislodge what was blocking his air passages. If not, she'd have to hit him harder.

Edited (TYPOS) 2014-08-06 06:41 (UTC)

It takes more than a few hits for the plate to finally dislodge itself from the restriction of his throat, the saucer flying out of his maw and clocking the nearest patron upside the head.

As the plate continues to ricochet off of a few nearby banquet attendees, the now breathing pirate turns about in a hurry to see who it was that had been assaulting his back. With a swing of his arm, the young man bats at the rod that somewhat effectively freed the obstruction from him.

"WHAT'S THE IDEA?! WHY ARE YOU HITTING ME LIKE THAT?!"

Oh typical. The asura saves the day and this is the kind of thanks she gets. No one appreciates genius, and certainly not the type of genius that sees simple solutions to simple problems.

You wanna have a screaming match, human? You got one.

"I was saving your life, you loud, ungrateful, human brat."

"Hey! I'm not loud!"

Fuming, the lad picks up the hat that had been on his head, dusting off the weathered and worn hat with a grunt as he places it back atop his noggin.

"Never heard of getting hit on the back to stop choking. Thanks, anyways."

Luffy, having really never learned proper manners, cannot help but look at his savior with curious, observing eyes. He's never seen a.. a.. well, whatever it was that was standing before him.

"You're the weirdest monkey I've ever seen."

Oh, you've done it now, Luffy. Zojja's ears immediately prick upward in a display of asuran aggression. The grip on her rod tightens and it's a miracle that it's not being charged with magical energy right this moment.

"Monkey? Monkey!? Do I really look like a monkey to you?"

She could forgive Luffy not knowing what she was, it seemed like human here did. But at least most of them here had assumed she was a Tarutaru, which at least made a little bit of sense.

"Do monkeys have ears like mine? Claws like mine? Teeth like mine?" As if to emphasize that last point, she bares her razor sharp needle shaped teeth. "If there's any monkey here, it's you!"

"Well, yeah. I do make for a good monkey when I try."

Totally missing the insult there, Luffy.

"Besides! You could be some sorta' fierce monkey! Or like, a fighting monkey!"

His eyes go wide again, excitement taking over the anger he'd been feeling towards the assault to his back.

"Are you a fighting monkey?!"

The moogle who had been accompanying him buzzed over with a plate of food, watching Luffy as a heavy sigh rises from the small belly of the creature.

"What did you do now, Mister Luffy?"

"I'll show you a fighting monkey-"

"Zojja, please, kupo!" A second moogle begs, flying over with rapid speed. "You can't just attack everyone who gets on your nerves."

"I can and I will, now shut up Kupu!"

"It's not worth it!" The moogle begs, clinging to the rod in an attempt to get her to stop. "I'm sorry for her, kupo. Zojja is a little cranky from just getting here."

"Nothin' to get in a fight over. A lot of people are coming from different places to here, aren't they? Against their will, too."

Luffy places the straw hat atop his head, hiding his eyes as he keeps a hand at the brim.

"Not from around here, either? That makes two of us."

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aeromancer - 2014-08-29 18:12 (UTC) - Expand

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gomu_ningen - 2014-09-03 18:57 (UTC) - Expand

It was the thumping on tables and flailing that had caught Henry's attention, but it was the man turning a whole bunch of odd colors that kept it. He clapped and cheered Luffy on, laughing at this amazing show.

"Woo! Can you go green?"

It isn't the method he prefers, but with no other choice (given how everyone around him seems more content to laugh than help) Luffy cocks an arm back and wails himself in the gut with a solid punch. The sudden burst of air that rushes up through his esophagus and dislodges the plate out of his mouth, sending it flying towards the laughing gent like a bullet.

As the bone flings towards Henry there is a smell of ozone and a slight purple glow around Henry following by the bone disappearing from existence with a loud POP. Henry's new Dark Knight powers are awesome in two ways! He can do things like that, but also it causes him to bleed from random orifaces! This time, it's his ears.

But he has other things on his mind.

"Nyahaha! That was great! I don't have any coins to give you though."

That's odd. Luffy could have sworn that he hadn't actually made contact with the other man. How could it be that liquid like that would be coming out of his ears in such a way. Tilting his head like a curious monkey, Luffy raises a single hand as if asking for permission to question.

"Say.. Why's there jam coming out of your ears like that?"

"Jam?"

Henry wipes some of the blood from his ears and tastes it.

"Ohhhhhh Salty. This is totally blood! How awesome is that?"

Luffy isn't grossed out by blood or anything of the like, but it is a little unnerving to see someone so casual about their ears bleeding out.

"Ehh-?! How the hell are you bleeding from your ears?! Did some one say something real naughty?"

"Dunno! It's pretty awesome though. Wait, isn't that your nose?"

"Huh-? What about my nose?"

He extends a finger up into one of his nostrils, giving it a flick before injecting another digit into the other.

He hums for a moment, an even chord as he ponders the process. His voice becomes a bit muffled, but not enough to keep him incoherent.

"Nope. In working order."

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holycrows - 2014-08-15 00:19 (UTC) - Expand

Parn will still making rounds around the new city, getting to know people and becoming familiar where he expected to be spending a considerable amount of time here. Along the way came the poor individual whom probably failed to chew and thus was suffering the consequences from it.

Without hesitation, the warrior circle to behind the poor guy and Heimlich the lodged food.

When the poor lad is clutched from behind, he's lifted from the ground as his sandal covered feet flail and kick about in agony. A few pumps to his abdomen finally frees the dinner ware from his throat, sending the plate flying like a bird into the night sky never to be seen again.

Panting like a dog in the middle of a Summer afternoon, the boy turns to see who is savior is, nodding his head in approval as he tries to gain sense of his vocal chords.

"Th.. Th.. Th.. Thank you!"

Did...did a plate just come flying from his mouth? How in the world did this stranger manage that? In all of Parn's years (despite it not being that many) he has never seen a plate dislodge from a man's throat before.

"A-are you going to be okay?"

Does he need to go retrieve a medic? That was a serious thing to survive from. The warrior was still concerned for this stranger's wellbeing.

The lad merely laughs it off, picking up a large mug and downing a bit of water before he's able to respond. With a sigh of relief, he turns back to respond to his savior.

"Yeah! I'll be okay! Not the first time it's happened! Shishishishi~!!"

Smacking a hand against his knee, he settles a hand at his hip and extends the other out to the other dark-haired male.

"I owe ya' one. M'name's Luffy!"

Not the...first time? That was slightly concerning. How has this individual made it this far if he chokes on plates all the time? Parn wasn't quite sure he understood, but he supposed he should be grateful this Luffy seemed okay.

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Luffy. My name is Parn." Usually exchanging handshakes were not normally used for greetings, but out of politeness Parn meets it half way.

"I see you've already made yourself comfortable?"

It takes a moment for the lad to get his attention right, looking the other man over as his eyes go wide and starry. Could it be-?! Was he truly standing in the presence of a knight?! A knight.. with.. with armor?!

His mouth hangs open as he gasps in amazement, shifting from the pain he had once felt from the plate to astonishment at the sight of the armor-clad swordsman before him.

"Wow~! Cool, cool, cool! Where did you get that armor?! I want to wear some armor!"

"Get this...armor?" This was not where he expected the direction of conversation to go. It wasn't exactly his armor either. He awoke with different armor, it was actually a rather touchy subject due to sentiments, but Parn could set that aside for now.

"Did you not wake up with armor of your own here?" Or was he one of those mages?

Luffy merely scratches his head, pondering for a moment as if he's missed something.

"Nope. I just woke up with these pants and this weird belt sash thing. Were we supposed ta' wake up with armor?"

His face goes from puzzled to disgruntled.

"How come everyone else got armor and I didn't?!"

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lodossknight - 2014-08-26 17:52 (UTC) - Expand

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Prelude || The Festival Of Light

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Parn has armor on right? If not, I can retcon this

He's a warrior, so yes xD

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