Intro Log || The Night of the Thirteen Moogles

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: The 5th of October. The new Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The new 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 be welcomed by the former batches of Heroes of Light. New Heroes of Light will not have their Crystal.
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," the call of the Moogle finally waking 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 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.

The only people around you are like you-- There are quite a few of them, all clothed in their Job garbs and most likely wondering what is happening. 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. In fact, there are other Heroes who arrived these past months too and they will come soon! Like you, they had Jobs and a Crystal-- Wait, you don't have a Crystal...? That's weird.

Your Moogle will be puzzled by this fact, as all Heroes of Light are supposed to have a crystal with them. Well, maybe you are not a Hero of Light after all?


The Other Heroes
— Shortly Thereafter —
Thanks to the efficiency of Mognet, it does not take long for the other Heroes to come around: those who arrived in this world one or two months ago. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you that there were other Heroes of Light in this city. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers worthy of being revered as heroes. And more importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have all the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a minor disappointment. Still, for the most part they know more than you on the situation and may be more than happy to fill you in, especially if your Moogle didn't tell you much.


The Night of the Thirteen Moogles
— Anytime —
Something that may be obvious, is that the city has a spooky feel to it. There are various decorations, it clearly looks like a work in progress but it seems the idea is to make the city looks as scary as possible. Characters familiar with Halloween may recognize the decoration as being strikingly similar. The Moogles will be more than pleased to explain these are all preparations for the upcoming Night of the Thirteen Moogles on the 31st, and they will explain the legends to characters if they ask.

Hopefully all this talk of curse and King Moggle Mog is nothing more than legend.


The City of Aqures Ixen
— Anytime —
There are a lot of things left to do in the city, especially with everyone excited for the upcoming celebration. Starting from 18:00, a series of BLitzball games will take place at the stadium located in the tenth district, opposing amateur teams in a friendly competition. At the same time, a small group of Triple Triad players are playing before Mognet Office in the ninth district, and they are more than happy to teach the rule to anyone passing by. Characters are free to enter and play games of Triple Triad, and if they do so they will be given very basic cards and explained the rules. This may be the start of a promising career!

Characters are also free to visit the city-- Be it Mognet Office just behind the Triple Triad games is filled with very busy Moogles, or the Airship Port in the twelfth district from where characters can board for free Airships from Shoopuf Airline, knowing the next airship departing from Aqures Ixen will do so on the 9th. Still, characters can board an exposition Airship should they like and visit it.

Or maybe you could visit your new house in the 11th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate. Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with.

Comments

[i_didnt_know]

If that was so, then at least they would still have one another. He had yet to meet very many people, and honestly he wasn't interested in getting to know them at this time. The boy was still wrapping his mind around the loss of two more friends of theirs, something he dared not mention to Shun. There was plenty Shun was dealing with already, he didn't need that on his shoulders as well.

And Satoru was getting ridiculously good at lying even to his closest friends, if it meant easing their own worries. Though he failed rather spectacularly when it came to Maria. Shun was the intellect of their group, Mamoru the heart, he the strength, Saki the leader, and Maria the caretaker. When they were younger he felt so confident because he had his friends by his side, and they could take on the world together. But the world fought back hard and now he had no idea what would happen in the future.

Even with Shun back in his arms, he couldn't rid himself of that feeling of fear and loneliness. Even if they made it home what was he going to do? What where they going to do in this world and why had they really been brought here? And could he even be sure he had his friend back? So many questions where lurking in the dark recesses of his mind.

But that was where they would stay, especially now.

Because despite not knowing where they stood, Satoru knew his own feelings. And he wanted to give Shun that release, to break, to cry, to scream...whatever it took to ease him of that darkness in his heart he had failed to notice before. If anyone was being selfish it was Satoru himself, for not being willing to divulge his own sorrow, but all too willing to take on his ex-boyfriends.

At the feeling of that trembling he pulled him in even closer, one hand moving up his back as the other remained securely around his waist. He remained like this, even as the sudden shout caught him off guard, his eyes turning towards the other boy, his eyebrows tensing, but not once even thinking about letting go or pulling away.

"Hm...?" He wasn't sure he really wanted to ask, but he felt a need to know. “What do you mean?” He whispered, barely audible to anyone other than the one he was speaking too.

Yuki looked on, glancing between his master and Shun before turning to Michiko in the hope that she had some answers or at least a hint of insight into the situation. It was obvious his new owner wasn’t upset in the negative way, but now the other boy was yelling and looked about to start crying again. “Kupoooo…” he murmured under his breath, the pom pom on top of his head lowering.

What can he do to help or should he even interfere?

[empty_smile]

Where Satoru was the emotional one, Shun attempted to draw towards logic...usually.

Shun had been avoiding the thoughts of what would become of him, should he return home with Satoru. Because, in the end, he was left with one question: did he really...truly wish to attempt returning? In the end, he knew what would become of him. There was no doubt what fate would befall him. It was, practically, guaranteed. Crystallis didn't promise him a much longer life. He, also, didn't have his cantus pouring out of him.

It seemed that the current world was the better option, on the basis of people living, so far. That was, however, without having been there all that long. He didn't, honestly, have all that much to go on. There were quite a few things left without answers, and the stubborn side of him wasn't ready to call it a day. Nevertheless, he wouldn't get anywhere while being too exhausted to move, right?

When he felt those arms tighten around him, however, all thoughts came to a standstill. It felt as though everything was attempting to escape, at once. There were too many things he needed to deal with, and it seemed they had all reached a limit, with waiting to be handled. He was being forced to face the reality of the fact that he was upset...angry...scared.

Hearing that question served as an alert to just how loudly he'd shouted, "...Nevermind."

In spite of the fact that he'd had the outburst, he wasn't ready to talk about it. Instead, he focused on forcing out steady breaths. The feel of the warm, familiar body against his is...relaxing. While, logically, he knows it would be best to not continue bottling anything up, he also knows that the middle of a crowd isn't the best place. Holding his eyes closed, he lets his body relax and forces everything back to the recesses of his mind.

"..."

Michiko wasn't sure what to make of the scene before her. So, for the time being she was hanging back. When she felt those eyes land on her, she blinked and looked over. After a short pause, she flitted over and put a paw on the stranger's shoulder. Offering the other moogle a reassuring smile, she attempted to be encouraging.

"Don't worry, kupo. I'm sure they'll explain, soon. Master Shun likes to explain things to me. And, even if they don't explain, I'll find a way to figure it out...okay?"

Well, that was her attempt to cheer him up. She could only hope it worked.

[i_didnt_know]

True, perhaps this place was the better option. After all, he had Shun here, which meant the others may show up sometime. They could be happy, they could be welcomed, they wouldn't be feared and they wouldn't need to live in fear any longer.

But could things really go so well?

He had his doubts, and the oddity of them missing their crystals did worry him some. Honestly he didn't consider himself much of a hero. Everyone he ever wanted to save died except Saki, and he wasn't even trusted enough by those people to even try.

Perhaps that's what made it hurt all the more.

There was one good thing that came out of all of this though, his eyes where now wide open. Not just to the darkness of the world but also to human beings. When he was younger he didn't really understand emotion and he was dumb when it came to detecting problems even within the people he cared the most about. But after losing them, he paid more attention, and he was more careful.

And now he could tell Shun was holding back. He wondered if he should press any further, a worry nagging in the back of his mind, echoing the fears of his heart. But he held back, well, at least vocally.

Satoru was more a physical type of guy anyway. Slowly he moved away, the hand on Shun’s back moving up and gently touching his cheek. Those wine colored irises boring deeply into green as he searched beyond the mask, beyond the defenses to the boy he knew and the reality under the lie.

The world stopped around him just then, the people fading in the distance as all of his focus was trained in on the boy in his arms. His eyes darken, his expression growing soft and lax as his mind emptied out.

Shun has always been so transfixing, it drove him mad sometimes.

And then he leaned in, placing a gentle kiss to his tear stained cheek.

....

Yuki hadn't seen any of this, his own focus turning on Michiko. He appreciated the comfort, his cheeks puffing up a bit in embarrassment at the fact he was showing such a weak side of himself in front of such a pretty she moogle.

"Thank you...Kupo." He then he turns towards their masters and suddenly his white fur is colored pink. "k-k-kupo!?"

Well they certainly where close.

[empty_smile]

If Shun were asked, he wouldn't know how to respond. Could things go that well, for them, after everything that had taken place -- not that he had even the faintest of clue...what Satoru had witnessed. It hadn't occurred, to him, that they could be from different times. Not yet, at least. He was too preoccupied with the other thoughts...worries...frustrations.

Shun hadn't wanted any of what happened. They would carry on, without him. Life would have continued on, even after his death. There was nothing more he could do for them, just as there was nothing that could have been done to save his life. In the end, things had happened as they were going to happen. If only...he could truly accept it all, that easily. A part of him really wanted to be able to, just so he could stop feeling the emotions tied into the memories of home. There was no changing any of it.

As his childhood friend moved back, he gave a soft blink. Then, when he glanced up and saw that somewhat...familiar look in Satoru's eyes, his expression softened. He consciously kept his breaths steady, in spite of his heart rate speeding up, just a bit. Shun didn't look away.

The touch of those lips to his cheek resulted in his eyes sliding shut. Slowly exhaling, he could feel his facial muscles relaxing. Not just that, either. His entire body relaxed, a bit more. As he opened his eyes, brow tensing just a bit, he pointedly ignored the conflicting tension in his chest. For him, he was still aware of their surroundings -- so, his actions were limited to his hands reaching up to grip the front of Satoru's shirt.

In spite of the desire to do more, he settled for leaning his head down to press it against the shoulder opposite him, for a moment. His body felt heavy, as that action served as another boost of comfort. Exhaling slowly, he worked to decide on what to say. He needed to...get something out of the way, firsthand. After a moment, he whispered, "No amount of apologizing could ever, possibly, make up for the things that I said. I can only promise you that I didn't mean it."

He'd said them, solely for the sake of hurting Satoru. Shun knew just what to say to keep his childhood friend from doing everything to find him. During the time they were dating, the other teen was always spending time with him. It was anything but safe, to be around him at that time. It also...ensure that it would be easier for his ex-boyfriend to let him go, period...

...

Michiko blinked, and then let out a soft giggle as the show of embarrassment. She didn't see anything wrong with how he'd been acting. There was nothing wrong with needing reassurance, from time-to-time! After nodding to the thanks, she followed the male moogle's gaze. Oh- ...kupo?

Blinking a couple of times, she tilted her head to the show of affection, from Master Shun's friend(?).

She remembered how the two, in the play, kiss. They kiss on the lips, though. That kiss was on the cheek. So, she wasn't going to assume it was because they were in love. She...didn't know what a kiss, like that, meant. Maybe she could ask! ...Well, after they were finished. Unless he knew...? He was reacting pretty strongly, to it...

"Do you know what that kind of kiss means, kupo?"

[i_didnt_know]

Seeing that reaction caused his heart to swell with anticipation, only to be dashed as instead of kissing back he leaned against his shoulder. The other teen held back a sigh that betrayed his feelings and tried to remember that, they weren't boyfriends anymore. He should be happy that Shun had even allowed him to kiss him, mostly in a busy street like this. He never was the type for public attention, whereas Satoru didn't care, or more so...he did.

He wanted to lay his claim. Softly he bites his lower lip, a tiny bit of punishment for nearly giving into that impulse. The sandy blonde moves to rest his head against Shun's when suddenly he catches the sound of that voice...

Instantly his body tenses up when he realizes just what it was Shun was bringing up. He had been thinking about it all this time, worrying for hours on end, days if your count the time back home. And, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Shun, was apologizing...and saying that those words...

...Those heart breaking words had been a lie.

"You mean it?" Suddenly he pulls away, he has to look into those eyes again, to find out if he really was telling the truth. But as soon as he sees that face, those words replay in his head and instantly he breaks into a smile. Perhaps some would say he was overly forgiving, but the fact was he never fell out of love with Shun, and he never gave him up. He tried, he honestly did, but really nobody would ever have a hold of his heart like the man in front of him.

A long time ago, Satoru had split his heart in two, and he gave one piece to the girl who stuck with him through thick and thin, and the other half went to the man that gave him the courage to face all the trials he would meet through time. They both became his reasons for living, which made it all the harder to not be able to remember that boy.

"You.....bastard." He released a relieved laugh before continuing his words. "Don't you do that again to me or I swear I will throw you in the nearest body of water!" He couldn't hurt him, wouldn't even dream of it, and honestly if Shun decided to try a stunt like that again he wouldn't be able to hold his threat. He made that apparent the last time. He had a lot of control over him, and he could easily break him again if he chose to do so. He could only hope that nothing would come up to drive him to that point, or that those words ever became the truth.

...

At the question he looks at Michiko with the biggest roundest eyes he could pull off, stunned into silence. WHY WAS SHE ASKING HIM? HOW COULD HE EXPLAIN THIS? "U-u-uhhh"

He flies around in a circle, paws placed together as he tried to come up with a good answer or really just gather the courage to say anything.

True, it wasn't really the most romantic kiss, it could mean anything, but considering their reactions and well how close they were standing together right now...

"I-i-i-it means...well, the k-k-k-kiss could mean anything, um...But the w-w-way t-t-t-they're s-s-standing s-s-so so, close t-t-together...uhhh..." He was getting confused and couldn't even be sure he was making any sense. His fur was practically turning red now. "Kupoooo"

Finally he takes a deep breath and just BLURTS it all out in one big gust of air. "Ithinktheymayhavebeeninarelationshipbeforewhichiswhytheyareactinglikethat." Now that, that was out he just hovers in place, panting for air and not even daring to look at Michiko, he was so embarrassed...