melodiesmods: (Default)
Melodies of Life Moderators ([personal profile] melodiesmods) wrote in [community profile] melodiesoflife2014-08-03 11:23 pm

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.
quiltrap: (Default)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-06 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Anytime/Anywhere

Rose was wandering around the festivities, watching them but not really participating. This had already been a rough day for her, and this place was more active than anything she had experienced in years. The press of people around her was quite uncomfortable, but she didn't want to find some quiet place because sitting still right now was just beyond her. Too much had happened, too much was going on for her to be comfortable hiding away.

So she wandered through the streets, familiarizing herself with this new place, and whenever her thoughts and worries threatened to overwhelm her, she would look for someone who looked interesting or out of place and strike up a short conversation.

[[Option 1]]
Determined to put her worries aside for the moment, Rose walked up to one of the moogle accompanied folk around her and asked, "Pardon me, dear, are you a so called 'Hero of Light' as well?"

[[Option 2]]
Rose noticed someone in the streets looking upset, or perhaps worried. She walked over towards them and stopped a respectful distance away and asked, "Are you alright?"

[[Option 3]]
[Anything else you want, you can assume she came up and asked some random small talk question, or approach her while she wandering around, bump into her, whatever]
red_planet_blues: (Default)

1

[personal profile] red_planet_blues 2014-08-06 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rose has approached a man in silver and white armor, and a cowboy that has a moogle perched on it. There's a large pair of robotic gloves tied to his side where a sword would be. He shrugs at her.]

That's what they're tellin' me. Why?
quiltrap: (choices)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-06 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well," she said politely, raising an eyebrow at his attire, "we are all clearly not from the same place. Probably not even from the same world, but there must be something that ties us together. Some pattern to our, out of all the people in our worlds, coming here."

She pursed her lips thoughtfully and her eyes momentarily grew unfocused. "We probably won't learn much just through conversation, but its a place to start..."

She focused again and looked him in the eye with sudden intensity, "Do you have any thoughts about this?"
red_planet_blues: (dotdotdot)

[personal profile] red_planet_blues 2014-08-06 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, seems that way from the people I've been talkin' to. [The idea of a multiverse isn't new to Sparks, so he doesn't seem too surprised by the idea.]

Guess what pulls us all here is they think we're all the heroic-type. [He clearly doesn't disagree with this assessment, with the way he stands straighter and squares his shoulders when he says it, but he ultimately shrugs again.] 'Course, woulda been nice had they asked first, considerin' I'm probably not the only one with a previous engagement, but what can we do now?
quiltrap: (thought)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-06 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Rose frowned a little at the idea that anyone would consider her the heroic type, but she wasn't going to argue about who. Who knew what these mooble creatures would think of as heroic.

"You are right that our options are limited... We can do little more than try to live up to their expectations at this point. Still... learning more about each other and this place seems as good a place to start as any."

red_planet_blues: (grin)

[personal profile] red_planet_blues 2014-08-07 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Exactly. We're gonna have to work together, right? 'N the faster we get this all done, the faster we can all go home. [He offers up a hand for a shake.] Sparks Nevada, currently displaced marshal of Mars.
quiltrap: (choices)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-07 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
She shook his hand firmly, if not strongly.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Rose, Rose Glasdon...What exactly is a 'marshal of Mars'?"
red_planet_blues: (neutral)

[personal profile] red_planet_blues 2014-08-09 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Good handshake. He appreciates that.]

Well, I live on Mars, and I'm its marshal. That pretty much covers it. And I'd be still doin' it, if I wasn't so rudely interrupted by some other planet that needed rescuin', apparently. Woulda been nice if they asked first.
quiltrap: (thought)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-12 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
She knew what Mars was in her universe, obviously, but she doubted it was the same as his own. And she still wasn't sure what a marshal was, but it sounded like some sort of important title. Perhaps some sort of military leader or elected official? Regardless it was clear that he had a defined place in his world.

"...I see...Well if there is enough of a connection for them to get you from your world, perhaps you do it service by stopping a danger here before it could someday menace it?"
red_planet_blues: (gloves)

[personal profile] red_planet_blues 2014-08-14 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
That's the plan for now. Get all this hero stuff done, save the day or whatever, then head back home. Ain't nothin' I haven't done before. [He sounds pretty confident about this, at least.]
quiltrap: (Default)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-21 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
"You...have done this kind of thing before?"

Her eyebrow rose incredulously as she contemplated the idea of a life that included multiple incidents like this.

"You must be quite capable then. Perhaps that will balance out this old woman's frailty." She said, smiling slightly. She was only partially kidding. After seeing some of the folk brought into this she had really begun to doubt what she could offer in comparison, especially without the power that was her birthright.
red_planet_blues: (grin)

[personal profile] red_planet_blues 2014-08-21 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, maybe not exactly like this. The armor is new. I like it though. [He straightens up a bit and brushes off the pauldrons. He thinks he can work this look.] But bein' marshal is all about savin' the day. I'm guessin' they all brought us here for a reason, so don't count yerself out so soon. I'm sure there's a place for everyone in... whatever it is they got planned.
mesmerised: ask before taking (pic#7159775)

option 1

[personal profile] mesmerised 2014-08-06 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
The question came so suddenly that Logan was caught a bit off guard by it. While there were talks and signs and songs about the "Heroes of Light" everywhere, it was definitely strange to be asked so directly about it.

He took a second to organize his thoughts before answering. When he'd woken up at the Crystal of Fire, he'd seen the others around, but everyone had looked just as confused and disoriented as he felt. As a result, he didn't get as good of a look at any of them as he probably would've liked, and he definitely didn't manage to get any sort of headcount. He glanced over at the moogle floating at his side, and she gave him a silent nod of encouragement.

"That's the rumor, at least," he said. "I can't really speak for the number of 'heroics' I've performed wandering around a festival, though."
quiltrap: (thought)

Re: option 1

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-06 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Rose laughed slightly and shook her head. "Well at least you look the part more than I do, boy. Still...its a dangerous rumor, as you put it. Who knows what these people will expect out of us because of it."
mesmerised: ask before taking (pic#7159803)

[personal profile] mesmerised 2014-08-06 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"I have a feeling I know what they expect," he said, somewhat bitterly. "Whether or not it's actually feasible is another case entirely."

It only occurred to him after the fact what, exactly, this woman had just said to him. His brow furrowed in his confusion, and he stared at her incredulously. She was easily old enough to be his grandmother -- maybe his great grandmother. Did she really mean to say that she'd been dragged in as a 'Hero' too?

"-- Wait, did you say 'us'?" he asked. "You mean, you... Not to be rude, or anything..."
quiltrap: (choices)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-06 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Rose barked out a laugh at his reaction. His face was absolutely priceless in that moment. Not that she disagreed with his sentiment. It was completely ridiculous to put her in the same heroic category as this clearly capable youngster before her.

"No, I quite agree. This old bag of bones hardly fits the heroic image. But that is what the little moodle-creature told me when I awakened here. I find the whole prospect...disconcerting."
mesmerised: ask before taking (pic#7159810)

[personal profile] mesmerised 2014-08-07 10:27 am (UTC)(link)
"No kidding..." he muttered, disbelief in his voice. "Huh."

Logan looked to his moogle for some kind of answer or guidance or explanation or something, but she didn't seem to have anything for him. Shuki merely nodded again, her bobble idly bouncing from the motion. It felt like everything just got a thousand times more complicated, and the part of Logan that was a lawman was already trying to make sense of the nonsense surrounding this whole situation.

"I wonder what that means for us," he said. "I thought that I was brought here to go fight some war or take out some looming evil, but now I'm not so sure. Again, I don't mean to be rude, but do you have any idea why they brought you here? A certain skillset or some kind of special knowledge or something?"
quiltrap: (memory)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-07 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"I doubt it." She said shortly. After all, her only 'unusual' skills didn't seem to work here at all. No lines of fate, no power over thread, nothing. It was weird just walking around without the senses and abilities she was used to.

"Not unless there's an epic battle that requires knitting or something. None of my other...talents...seem to work here."
mesmerised: ask before taking (pic#7159774)

[personal profile] mesmerised 2014-08-09 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"Huh," he mused aloud.

Suddenly everything just seemed even more baffling than before. Logan knew that there were some seriously powerful mages in their twilight years -- people in the Priory who were exceptionally gifted as scryers, mesmers, farseers and the like. But for this place to just pull in some random old lady just seemed cruel and unfair.

"They must have some non-combat role in mind for you," he said, "but that alone makes me worry. Fighting against some ancient evil is one thing, but this is starting to sound like all-out war."
quiltrap: (memory)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-12 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"It...is possible I suppose but I doubt what use I would be in an all out war in my current condition. I can weave bandages or something with the proper equipment, but not fast enough to be useful..."

Or at least, not fast enough without the power to control the threads and speed them on their way at least. But there was no point in mentioning the abilities she clearly didn't have here, so she just frowned to herself at the thought.

"I wonder what we could learn by coming up with a list of everyone pulled into this and their skills. That might give us an idea of the shape and scope of what is expected of us."
mesmerised: ask before taking (pic#7159810)

[personal profile] mesmerised 2014-08-14 09:31 am (UTC)(link)
"That's a solid idea, actually," he said. "The only problem with that, though, is actually finding everyone. Damn, I should've taken a better headcount at the crystal."

That was when Logan's moogle piped up from beside him. Shuki floated further into his periphery and nodded her head vigorously, her bobble bouncing with the motion. He glanced at her.

"You can use MogNet for that, kupo," she said now that she had his attention. "Send out a general notice. The other moogles will relay it as soon as it comes in, kupo! Though I guess you can't guarantee that everyone will answer you..."
quiltrap: (burdens)

[personal profile] quiltrap 2014-08-21 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
Rose nodded thoughtfully, chewing slightly on her lip as she thought about it. It was true that it would be difficult to track everyone down the way she had been, but could she trust these creatures? Who knew what plans they had in motion.

"You may...be correct." She said slowly. "Though if we wait until things settle down slightly we might have a better chance. What do you think, Mr....?"

She paused and looked confused and thoughtful for a moment, then sudden abashed, "My goodness, I haven't even asked your name, have I? How dreadfully rude of me. I'm very sorry."