melodiesoflife | Intro Log || The City That Never Sleeps

Intro Log || The City That Never Sleeps

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Trano Golsaucia, Aqures Ixen, Airships.
When: The 5th of May. The new Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken in the Temple of Wind next to Trano Golsaucia, and they 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.
Warning: N/A

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within a split second, 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 know 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 before long it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you...

And at this very 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 a gentle breeze. Had it all been nothing more than a dream? The soothing voice repeats its call once more, but is soon replaced by a much less graceful "Wake up, Kupo!" Hand clutched on your Crystal, the call of the Moogle may finally bring you back to your senses. But you are no longer in your world, nor in the void. You are before the Crystal of Wind, in the Temple located right outside of a city called Trano Golsaucia. At this point, you may realize the breeze originates from the massive green Crystal floating nearby. 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. They look pretty tired, but they will be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know. They shall tell you about your 'destiny' as a Hero of Light and about what awaits you. Or at least, they will tell you everything they do know, which isn't much in the end.

There are quite a few people around you as well. For the most part, they are people like you-- All clothed in their Job garbs and most likely wondering what is happening. There are also some other Humans, Tarutaru and Hypello in the room, but unlike you they don't have a Crystal, nor do they have a Moogle following them. If addressed, they will say they are the Guardians of the Crystal of Wind and will confirm everything the Moogle said. They will reveal they found you unconscious around the Crystal a couples hours ago, and immediately contacted the Moogles and the government of Aqures Ixen.

If asked about it, both the Moogles and Guardians will explain that Heroes of Light have already appeared in this world within the past year, and they all are in a city called Aqures Ixen. It's the first time Heroes have appeared in this temple. In fact, you probably should go to Aqures Ixen as well. The Moogle will tell you this is where your house is and where the other Heroes will be able to help you. Thankfully, should you decide to take your sweet time to get there, the other Heroes may just come to you.

The Other Heroes
— Anytime —
And indeed, thanks to the efficiency of Mognet and Shoopuf Airline it does not take long for the other Heroes to come around. You may meet them in Trano Golsaucia or in Aqures Ixen, or maybe even in one of the Airships going back and forth between the two cities. They are those who arrived in this world months ago and they have gone through quite a lot. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you there were other Heroes of Light in this world. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you how they recklessly attacked the Heran Empire to free their friends a few months ago. And most importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a complete and utter 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.

Trano Golsaucia
— Anytime —
Should you leave the Temple of Wind and head south, you will reach Trano Golsaucia. It's a gigantic city covered with snow-- To make it simple, this city is a gigantic amusement park. It is the most popular place in this world and of course, there are plenty of people all around. Thankfully, other Heroes of Light are easy to spot: they are the only ones who are followed by a Moogle and holding a Crystal.

And there is quite a lot to be done in this city. Maybe you could stop by the Triple Triad Center to begin a successful career in card games, or maybe you could buy a ticket at the Blitzball Stadium to support your favorite team. If you're the kind of person who relies on luck, you may have more fun gambling in the Casino or betting on your favorite Chocobo in the Chocobo Races. If you're more of a person who enjoys simpler games, maybe you could try one of the numerous carnival-style mini-games found in the city, such as the shooting stand or the treasure chest game.

If you'd like more details regarding all the attractions and games available in Trano Golsaucia, you can find everything here! Of course, all of this requires money and odds are that you may not have a single Gil yet. If your Moogle is nice though, maybe you could ask him or her to loan you some Gil...

Airships
— Every Four Hours —
Upon reaching Trano Golsaucia, you will also have the right to board an Airship. Exceptionally, there is an Airship available every four hours, all because of your arrival so that Heroes of Light can meet each other and go to Aqures Ixen with ease.

The flight itself should take between four to six hours as it will travel from one city to the other on route. This is nothing special for the denizens of this world, but for you it may be quite the experience if you never boarded a plane or any flying contraptions before. The service is nothing special, but there are some light refreshments offered free of charge. Note that most of the employees on Airships are Hypello.

Aqures Ixen
— After an Airship Trip —
Upon arriving in Aqures Ixen, the first thing you will see is the Airship Port in the 12th District. Following that, no doubt your eyes will find the Castle of Aqures Ixen, a classic yet refined structure standing in the city. From there on, characters are free to visit the city-- There are no attractions in this city, but there are scientific buildings, another Blitzball Stadium and even an Observatory serving as base for the Heroes of Light. If you'd like more details regarding all that is available in Aqures Ixen, you can find everything here!

Or maybe -and perhaps inevitably!- you could visit your new house in the 11th or 14th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate. It's been a long day, so you could use some sleep. Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with...

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It didn't help much at all. Cloud chewed his lip as Vincent said he'd been updated, but he couldn't get a read on the man's opinion on any of this.

"No, I don't feel forced or anything. I just...I want to try to do what I can to make sure everyone from Gaia is happy. This place isn't so bad and I don't want to see someone chain themselves to a future that hasn't happened yet. Though I guess it did." He shook his head, "I'm sorry. I know I'm probably not making sense.

He was worried about Sephiroth, and that was an even harder subject to bring up with those who were from his future.

Oh Cloud, you'll learn. It takes time and patience to learn to read Vincent's ~~lack of~~ expressions.

"It's complicated." He responded, nodding slightly in acknowledgment of Cloud's statement. Pausing before continuing in a thoughtful tone. "If one knows the future, does one then make that future happen simply because they view it as what is to be? Or does one's future happen regardless of fore-knowledge."

Not that that likely helped Cloud any...

Edited 2015-05-16 04:14 (UTC)

And yet somehow Cloud felt like this was the least complicated thing. Living a happy life shouldn't be harder than being in conflict all the time. They didn't even know if they'd find a way back to Gaia, so he wanted those he knew to find a way to live here.

"Uh....maybe? I guess?" Vincent lost him there, "Anyway, um...if you have questions about this place I can try to help."

That was often the response Vincent received from the Cloud he was used to as well.

"I have met a few who are willing to answer questions." Vincent responded, finding that people had been very helpful for the most part. Not least of which his watcher/keeper, Ophelia. Even if he wasn't entirely sure what role the Moogle had beyond those two potential functions.

"What 'point' are you from?" Vincent supposed that was the most accurate way to phrase it.

Cloud blushed and looked away. This was the awkward part. The part that had made Tifa recoil and Yuffie...well she didn't seem to care.

"I wound up here before any of you all. Based on what I remember from that dream it was about a week or two before the Nibelheim mission." He sighed and shook his head, "Tifa was trying to avoid telling me what happened but that's out the window now.

Nibelheim mission...had he been told about that? Vincent was quiet as he tried to recall. Mostly what he had heard were scattered bits of explanations to the group, around the campfires. Especially once Cloud had returned, after his ordeals.

"You had not been tampered with yet then." Making it a question, to confirm what his memories were telling him.

"Ah, no...I guess not." Cloud looked visibly uncomfortable. He wasn't enjoying this conversation. The images from the dream, the memories of memories, they were murky and vague, but Vincent's words were giving them momentary clarity.

"Look, um...do you have any questions about this world? I can help with that maybe."

That made Vincent smile behind his cloak. Everyone was asking if he had any questions. Especially people he 'knew'.

If only it were that simple. He was quiet as he took time to ponder if he did have any questions specifically about this world. At least any he felt Cloud might be able to answer best.

Vincent was probably quiet for long enough to make Cloud wonder if they were finished their conversation. They weren't, and he had finally come up with a question he thought Cloud might be willing to answer. "What advice would you give, for adapting to this world?"

"Well...I guess just find your niche in this world. Figure out what would make you happy. I never thought I'd enjoy it but I've been working at the Chocobo ranch. I think Tifa's trying to open a bar of her own or something, and Sephiroth joined the military. I'm not sure what Yuffie is doing."

Cloud looked a little overworked by the question, but he was trying to help. "Is there anything you've always wanted to do?"

It wasn't a question that had occurred to Vincent in a very long time. Certainly he hoped Cloud wasn't expecting him to answer. It wasn't bad advice, and the dark gunslinger honestly intended to give it serious thought.

To show he'd heard though, there was a non-committal noise. Because even though this wasn't the Cloud he knew, he respected the man. His desire to help, at least.

"Ah...uh...well I'm sure you'll find something. When we get back to Aqures Ixen keep an eye out for the help wanted board and the postings there. Maybe you'll see something you like."

Man talking with this guy was hard.

Vincent, privately, suspected even the version of Cloud he did know found it difficult to converse with him. Taciturn, he'd been called cold before and to Vincent, it fit. It was simply how he was.

"Did you have any questions for me?" It seemed that Cloud was aware of more than he should be, even though he was younger. Not the same man Vincent knew. Was that simply an effect of things that had happened in this place? Was there more going on?

Cloud frowned at the question, thinking it over. It was a kind offer from his future ally, and he did have some questions about what was to face him in the future but...

"No...it's okay. Whatever you can tell me probably happens in my future, right? But that's on Gaia. Right now I just want to try to find a way to help Sephiroth not become what he becomes there." He wasn't sure that made sense. Tenses were starting to get wonky.

The tenses made sense to Vincent. He was following things along fine. "If you wanted information about what happens, I'm sure Tifa would fill you in." Almost an admonishment, as that wasn't quite what Vincent had meant.

He was aware that Cloud always found him difficult company. Aware that he was unlikely ally, and that Cloud did not necessarily understand him. Aware that this version, was not yet the leader of Avalanche who had found him resting in his coffin in the mansion. He'd been attempting to offer a way for the other to feel more at ease, if it would help. To try to bridge the gap between the not-quite-memory-that Cloud had yet to experience that made him reach out to Vincent, and who the man Cloud was now.

Cloud simply tilted his head at the mention of Tifa. She had filled him in after the recent incident, but it took something as heavy as that to get her to do it. Up to that point she had been coddling him, trying to make it out to be for his own good.

"If anything....just treat me the same you would your Cloud, okay? Our experiences may not be the same, and I guess our goals aren't either right now. But something is happening to this world and it's our responsibility to do something about it." Cloud looked young, but the confidence was building in his heart. He'd get to where he needed to be soon.

"Why would I treat you differently?" It didn't make sense to Vincent; he had no reason to with-hold information, nor any reason to share potential futures with the other. They still shared a common goal and path, having been brought to this world to help it somehow. Or so Ophelia insisted to Vincent, in her introduction to him.

"I don't know. I thought you might try to hide things from me." He looked away for a moment. Tifa was starting to come clean, but it had to take this world flinging them for a loop and revealing everything to him that she was trying to hide. And then she still tried to act like she knew better than him.

"I'm sorry. This is a little weird. I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do right now. So I've just been trying to help out the other Heroes as best I can."

Cloud's response made part of Vincent's mouth quirk up in amusement. There was a faint noise accompanying it, also of amusement. This was still the same person he'd come to know, at least near the end, of his time in Avalanche. Just a younger version, and without some of the trauma.

It was...refreshing, in a way. For all that it was awkward, and weird, some things were not that different. Comforting, in this new situation they'd been thrust into.

"That seems to be a good path."

Cloud fidgeted a bit. He wasn't sure what else to say. This man was...intimidating in his silence. His vague memories of his other self only gave him hints at mutual understanding in silence but this younger Cloud wasn't as comfortable with that.

"Listen...um...if you ever need help with something let me know, okay? And I guess I know I can count on you if I need help too. Right?"

Vincent was intimidating often without trying. Dark hair, and his height--it had been useful as a bodyguard and member of the Turks. Since being Hojo's plaything, it had only become more pronounced.

"You can, Cloud. We are allies." Normally, Vincent would just nod his head. But this was a younger version, and the understanding between them was not there. Easy enough for the gunslinger to tell he was both intimidating, and hard to read, for the younger version of his friend. So verbal reassurance it was.

Edited 2015-06-22 22:54 (UTC)

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Intro Log || The City That Never Sleeps

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