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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Taiga presented the flowers he'd been holding onto to Sophie, who glanced over toward Asbel when he found the vase. "Yes, that looks good." She agreed happily. And glancing around for it to go somewhere. "Flowers need light, right? We should put it there." Once the vase was filled anyway, but she was pointing over towards the windowsil. It'd get plenty of light there - provided no one knocked it over.

"The sill's nice and bright, so that'd probably work best. You have a good eye, Sophie."

Asbel helped by running some cool water into the vase, and then offered it to her. They were Sophie's flowers, so she should get to do the honors, after all.

"You'll have to make sure there's plenty of water in the vase, too. Otherwise they won't last as long."

Yay more praise! Sophie smiled, carefully, almost reverently taking the vase so it wouldn't drop by accident. "Will more flowers grow from these?" She asked, padding over to carefully place the vase on the windowsill.

Asbel replied after a moment of thought. "No, probably not. These flowers have already been cut, see? Without roots, plants can't thrive anymore. But, we may be able to buy some seeds. Then you could plant your own garden here in Crystallis."

"Oh..." She looked a little disappointed (or as disappointed as she tended to look) as she studied the flowers. But buying more seeds and starting a garden at her house - Ooo, she liked that idea. "Okay..! Do you have a garden at your house too?" She seemed to remember there being a lot of flowers in Lhant. At least by his home.

"Sort of? But none of us have really done much with it yet." Asbel rubbed the back of his head. "Manami stays out most of the day - at least when he's not napping, and I don't see Logen or Allenby around all that much either."

But he did have an idea! Asbel let his arm drop as he presented it to her.

"Tell you what. If you decide you really enjoy gardening," he began, about 99% sure that she would. "And if you run out of room over here, you can plant things over at our place, too."

Sophie adjusted the flowers a little until she was happy with the arrangement, finally giving the other 10% of her attention to Asbel, so he had her full attention.

There are going to be so many potted flowers around the house. Hopefully no one is allergic~!

She brightened, nodding eagerly to the offer, "Okay..!" She'll enlighten the world to the gloria of Sopheria flowers too, one day!

Asbel smiled back warmly, the happiest he'd looked in a while (the "sneezing" hadn't helped much on that front).

"The library might have some books about flowers, too. Then you could learn all about the different plants that grow on Crystallis. And if you have trouble with the words, Tern and I would be happy to help you."

The little moogle startled for a moment, flustering at suddenly being volunteered, but after a moment he flapped his wings, exclaiming as best he could through a flurry of stuttered excitement. "O-of course! I-I can read the pages for you if...if you want me to! Because...we're friends."

Sophie nodded again, looking plenty happy herself. "You look better Asbel. I like that face better than your sneezing face." Although it occurs to her he never actually sneezed -- huh. Oh well. But she definitely looked forward to learning about other plants.

Taiga grinned at little Tern - so cute - and Sophie nodded eagerly at the pair, "I'd like that..!" She tilted her head, suddenly reminded. "Do I have to go to school?" She wasn't sure she wanted to. She liked having freedom and school was for hoooooooooours.

He was really only asking for trouble, huh? Saying he'd been about to sneeze... Asbel laughed for three slow beats, a release of nervous energy that doubled as a plea to whoever might be watching up there to help him out just this once.

"Oh, it does? In that case, I should probably try wearing this face more often." Asbel mused as he settled on the nearest piece of furniture. He was actually feeling somewhat exhausted, if he was honest. "I guess I'm just relieved. But you know, you're looking a lot more cheerful yourself, Sophie."

"Mmhmm!" Tern piped up beside him, finally having managed to conquer his shyness. "You look h-happy!" And to Taiga. "And, um, y-you look h-happy, too."

"Yeah," Asbel added. "But what's this about school, Sophie? Did someone want to enroll you?"

Yes, but happily she wasn't questioning it much more than that. "Good." She tilted her head curiously. "I do?" Cheerful, and Happy. Hrm. "I guess I am. I felt this when I when I met you, Asbel." All warm and fuzzy.

Tern's agreement got a grin from the girl. "You don't look afraid anymore either. That's good."

Taiga nodded! "She's right, kupo. That's a good thing, since we wouldn't want friends to be scared with us, kupo."

Sophie glanced back at Asbel, "A lady called Zelda said I should think about going, and I should try it for a week, and enroll if I liked it."

Kids these days say the most embarrassing things - that's a proven fact. Asbel managed to look flustered for what was probably the fifth or sixth time in the past hour. "Then...I'm glad. I wonder if it's thanks to our friendship pact, that you're able to feel that way now."

Tern nodded twice, floating down to sit on the corner of a chair. "They say friendship is r-really amazing. So I'm going to try really...really hard not to be scared, kupo...!"

But back on topic:

"She did, huh? Well, it's not a bad idea..." he confessed. This coming from the adult version of the kid who hated books and studying. "It'd be a good way for you to learn. You'd get to discover all sorts of things alongside the other Heroes, and in a safe environment. Things like reading and writing, the history of this place...lots of other things, too. But it's up to you, Sophie. You don't have to go if it doesn't interest you."

Yet true ones! Sophie tilted her head, "Maybe...?" Probably. She grinned at Tern, nodding approval. "Good. If anyone is mean to you, you can tell us. Asbel, Tiger Festival and Me."

Back to Asbel! For Sophie, she'd like being able to go out and about more. Reading and writing might be good though. "I'll try it for a week." She said after a moment. And after that week she'll decide if she wants to keep going. Taiga would probably prefer her to go to school, to her going out and fighting monsters.

Asbel laughed again softly, closing his eyes for a long moment. "It's okay. You probably don't remember that either, but back when Richard and I were kids, the three of us - you, me, and Richard - all made a pact of friendship together, up on Lhant Hill."

Tern listened to Asbel curiously, nodding to Sophie once he was finished talking. Poor Asbel. Tern knew better than anyone how much worrying he'd been doing lately. "O-okay! I'll do that. And maybe...maybe you can stop them from being mean to anyone else, too."

Nodding at Tern, Asbel waited for Sophie to come to a decision. "All right. Sounds good, Sophie. I doubt I'll be able to help you out much with your homework, but if you want to tell anyone about what you learn, I'm all ears, okay?"

"A friendship pact..." Sophie echoed softly, looking thoughtful. She's quiet for so long, that Taiga has to pipe up after a moment.

"Watcha thinking kid, kupo?"

"Maybe we should make a friendship pact with Tern, and Taiga~!" Please, Asbel, don't let her get the idea that she needs to make a friendship pact with all of her close friends. There probably aren't enough trees for that. "We'd have to find a big tree."

She glanced at Tern, nodding confidently! She'll totally step in if she sees anyone bullying Tern. Taiga ... is a bit of a non confrontational wuss, so he'll go get a hero if he sees it kthx. Sophie didn't seem too bothered that Asbel wouldn't be able to help out, but she nodded happily. "Okay, Asbel." Wait till she tells him about the rock facts!

He nodded his approval. Even if Asbel couldn't go with Sophie to class, at least this way he'd be able to find out how school was faring. He sure hoped she'd be all right, and that no one would decide to pick on her...

"Huh," murmured Asbel thoughtfully, raising a hand to his chin. "Maybe we should. It's true that there aren't many trees in Aqures Ixen that really stand out, but we could always make a friendship pact another way."

"A friendship pact, kupo?" Tern asked.

"Yeah, it's--" Suddenly he'd found himself answering his own moogle's questions in addition to Sophie's. "It's when you make a promise of friendship together. Last time we carved our names into a large tree no one really knew about and then put our hands together. You can renew a pact, but you shouldn't ever break one. And of course you can be good friends with someone else even without a pact."

"W-wow...!" Tern looked to Taiga and Sophie. "And a pact makes a friendship stronger? It almost sounds like magic, kupo."

Edited 2015-05-31 00:44 (UTC)

They'd probably give up when they realized Sophie didn't register bullying. "Another way? How?" It would have to be something equally permanent.

She glanced at Tern as he asked for clarification on the pact, and smiled, nodding at his assessment. "It is." Friendship is magic!

"Well..." Asbel rubbed his chin in thought. "You know the wall outside the house? We could mark our names on it. Walls are pretty strong, right? Or we could wear matching accessories. Or even make a special place right here in Aqures Ixen. There are lots of things friends can do together, so I think there must be lots of methods for making pacts, too."

Still, he had to admit there had been something special about Lhant Hill, something he wasn't quite sure they could properly replicate here. But it wasn't the tree or the fantastic view that mattered, was it? "Even if it's not quite the same, the most important part of any pact is your feelings when you make it."

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Intro Log || The City That Never Sleeps

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